  a whaleboat is a type of open boat that is relatively narrow and pointed at both ends, enabling it to move either forwards or backwards equally well. it was originally developed for whaling, and later became popular for work along beaches, since it does not need to be turned around for beaching or refloating. the term "whaleboat" may be used informally of larger whalers, or of a boat used for whale watching. == modern applications == today whaleboats are used as safety vessels aboard marine vessels. the united states coast guard has been using them since 1791. their simple open structure allows for easy access and personnel loading in the event of an emergency. these whaleboats are now considered very important, and highly regimented safety vessels. boats must include a hatchet, lifeboat compass, lifeboat sea anchor, emergency signal mirror, emergency drinking water, lifeboat first aid kit, jack knife with can opener, lifeboat bilge pump,and emergency provisions. on modern warships, a relatively light and seaworthy boat for transport of ship's crew may be referred to as a whaleboat or whaler. it may also refer to a type of vessel designed as a lifeboat or "monomoy" used for recreational and competitive rowing in the san francisco bay area and coastal massachusetts. == uses in war == whaleboats were also extensively used in warfare. colonel benjamin church is credited with first pioneering their use for amphibious combat operations against abenaki and mi'kmaq tribes in what is today maine and acadia . his troops, new england colonial forces and native allies from southern new england, used them as early as 1696 (during king william's war). others in the northeastern borderlands followed suit and they were utilized throughout the imperial conflicts of the early 18th century, and extensively used by both british and colonial troops during the french and indian war. units that made extensive use of whaleboats were the 7th massachusetts infantry regiment at the siege of louisburg in 1745, often referred to as "the whaleboat regiment," and gorham's rangers, formed in 1744, initially a company of indians mainly from cape cod, many of whom were employed as whalers, and which later evolved into a british army ranger company in the 1750s and 1760s.brian d. carroll, " 'savages' in the service of empire: new england indians in gorham's rangers, 1744-1762," new england quarterly 85, no. 3 (september 2012): 383-429. john bradstreet's [http://dmna.ny.gov/historic/articl
Boat_types Traditional_boats