The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex

A clear, first-hand account from a survivor of one of the more famous sea disasters. The subject matter is difficult, but Chase's narrative avoids melodrama and relays the facts with straightforward prose. This book isn't for everyone, but people might find something useful here if they love history, sea adventures, memoirs, or accounts of survival against overwhelming odds.

Although attacks by whales on whalers were not at all common, there were instances, of which Herman Melville was aware. This collection of related pieces leads off with the lion's share of the content, a first-hand account of the sinking of the Nantucket whaler Essex in 1820, after a large sperm whale rammed her 2,000 miles (3,200 km) from the western coast of South America. First mate Owen Chase, one of eight survivors, recorded theses events in his 1821 narrative where the privation and cannibalism after the attack dwarfs the drama of the violently defensive animal. This leads to additional supporting pieces on attacking whales and cannibalism including the late 1830s of the albino sperm whale Mocha Dick. Mocha Dick was rumored to show more have 20 or so harpoons in his back from other whalers, and appeared to attack ships with premeditated ferocity. Mocha Dick was an albino and partially inspired Herman Melville's 1851 novel Moby-Dick, or, the Whale. show less

Compelling first hand account of the incredible survival story of various members of the Essex whaler, sunk by an 85 foot sperm whale in the Pacific thousands of miles from the South American coast. Written by the ship's first mate Owen Chase, this brief book is a must read on many levels. Truth really can be stranger than fiction.

Terrific account of the trials and tribulations of the crew of the Whaleship Essex, who faced starvation and a drift across the ocean after a whale sank their ship. Chase's style, explaining the events and the lengths the crew had to go to to survive is plainly told making it very compelling. This is the book that inspired Herman Melville's "Moby Dick."

Very straightforward account. I actually read this in the Cosimo Classics edition via Hoopla. This is the incident that inspired Moby Dick. The account narrates the whale's attack on the ship and the misery of the crew as they survive in small boats and try to make their way to the west coast of South America. I read this to accompany the graphic novel adaptation of MD. You can think of MD as the prequel, and this as the sequel. I might be ready to take on the real thing now.

Including a glossary of terms, this book is only 106 pages long, but packs a wallop! Gary Kinder, himself an author, wrote the introduction to this small narrative, and his ending words were "As you sit in your chair, the subliminal thought recurs: My god, this really happened." I knew then I was in for a good read.

synopsis:
The first mate of the whaleship Essex, Owen Chase, set down a chronological narrative of events that happened to himself and the crew of the Essex, after the fact. In November of 1820, the whaleboats of the ship were out trying to make progress on capturing & killing sperm whales when the Essex was rammed by another whale. This attack left a hole in the ship, and although the crew were able to board the ship & take show more out provisions, they were all forced to take to the whaleboats out in open sea. Twenty men started on the journey; only five survived. This book narrates what happened between the shipwreck & rescue. When you read this, you must consider that this book was a product of the times, so the reader gains the vantage point of one of the survivors, making the book all the more intriguing.

I liked this book very much; I will probably wish to reread it at some point. Highly recommended. show less

Read it for the thrilling account of the sole recorded instance of a whale fighting back and winning. Compulsive.