Description
The epic and terrible story of the whaleship Essex, which sailed from Nantucket in 1820 and was then sunk by an enraged 85-foot sperm whale in the middle Pacific. The stunned crew were forced to take to their fragile whaleboats and try to make land. After months of rowing, thirst and starvation which led to reluctant cannibalism, some of the crews did make it to Chile and safety. This harrowing but gripping story was the real-life event that inspired Melville's 0vel Moby Dick some decades later. PB. 150pp.