In the winter of 1820, the whaling ship Essex was attacked by a sperm whale of enormous size and ferocity. The Essex sank within minutes, and the survivors were stranded on three small whaling ships in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
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For 90 harrowing days, they drifted at sea, with dwindling supplies of food and water. They were forced to resort to cannibalism to stay alive. In the end, only eight of the 20 survivors made it back to shore.
The story of the Essex is one of the most extraordinary maritime disasters in American history. It is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human race.
The Voyage of the Essex
The Essex was a 238-ton whaling ship that was launched from Nantucket, Massachusetts, on August 12, 1819. The ship was commanded by Captain George Pollard, a 29-year-old veteran of the whaling trade.
The Essex sailed around the Cape of Horn and into the Pacific Ocean in search of whales. The ship had a crew of 20 men, including first mate Owen Chase, second mate Matthew Joy, and cabin boy Essex Henry.
The Essex had a successful first season, catching 22 whales. However, on November 20, 1820, the ship was attacked by a sperm whale of enormous size and ferocity.
The Attack
The whale was about 85 feet long and weighed about 90,000 pounds. It was one of the largest sperm whales ever recorded.
The whale attacked the Essex with its massive head, smashing the ship's bow and killing several crew members. The Essex sank within minutes, and the survivors were forced to abandon ship.
The survivors were stranded on three small whaling ships: the Nantucket, the Essex Junior, and the Dolphin.
The Drift
The three ships drifted at sea for 90 harrowing days. They had very little food and water, and they were constantly plagued by hunger and thirst.
In order to stay alive, the survivors were forced to resort to cannibalism. They ate the flesh of their dead comrades, and they even drew lots to see who would be killed next.
In the end, only eight of the 20 survivors made it back to shore. The survivors were rescued by the whaling ship Dauphin on March 11, 1821.
The Legacy of the Essex
The story of the Essex is one of the most extraordinary maritime disasters in American history. It is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human race.
The story of the Essex has been told in numerous books, articles, and films. The most famous account of the disaster is Herman Melville's 1851 novel Moby-Dick.
The Essex is also remembered in the town of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The Nantucket Whaling Museum has a permanent exhibit on the Essex disaster, and there is a memorial to the survivors in the town square.
