The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex: A Narrative AccountOn the morning of November 20, 1820, in the Pacific Ocean, an enraged sperm whale rammed the Nantucket whaler Essex. As the boat began to sink, her crew of thirty had time only to collect some bread and water before pulling away in three frail open boats. Without charts, alone on the open seas, and thousands of miles from any known land, the sailors began their terrifying journey of survival. Ninety days later, after much suffering and death by starvation, intense heat, and dehydration, only eight men survived to reach land. One of them was Owen Chase, first mate of the ill-fated ship, whose account of the long and perilous journey has become a classic of endurance and human courage. The elements of his tale inspired Herman Melville (who was born the year the Essex sank) to write the classic Moby Dick. A gallant saga of the sea, this riveting narration of life and death, of man against the deep, will enthrall readers. |
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The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex: A First-Hand Account of One of History's ... Owen Chase No preview available - 1999 |
The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex: A First-hand Account of One of History's ... Owen Chase No preview available - 1999 |
Common terms and phrases
able accident allowance of provisions appeared attack beach began body bread calculated Cape Horn Captain Pollard captain's boat castaways commenced companions considerable continued course crew dark death December deck despair died discovered distance dreadful Ducie Island east-southeast Easter Island endeavour Essex extreme feelings felt fish GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS gale harpoon Henderson Island Herman Melville hopes hundred hunger immediately Isaac Cole January Juan Fernández Islands labours land latitude least leeward longitude masts ment miles mind misery morning Nantucket night NOVEMBER ocean Owen Chase Owen Coffin Pacific pain proved reflection relief remained rock sail seamen second mate Seth Weeks ship ship's shipwreck shoal shore situation Society Islands sperm whale spermaceti spritsails steer stove struck sudden suddenly sufferings thirst Thomas Chapple tion took turtle twelve o'clock Valparaiso vessel voyage weak weather whaleboats whalemen whaleship Whaleship Essex wind wreck