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The Real Moby Dick Was So Much Worse

Caitlin Doughty・28 minutes read

The Essex whaleship's journey faced harrowing challenges, leading to a dramatic whale attack that caused the ship to capsize, initiating a gruesome tale of survival and cannibalism among the crew. Despite facing dehydration, starvation, and extreme conditions at sea, some crew members managed to survive with the help of rescuers, marking a tragic but gripping story of human endurance in the face of adversity.

Insights

  • The history of Nantucket reveals a transition from resource depletion by English settlers to a focus on whaling, leading to the decimation of both the Wampanoag population and the whale population.
  • The tragic journey of the Essex whaleship, inspired by "Moby Dick," culminated in a harrowing sequence of events, including a vengeful whale attack, cannibalism, and survival through consuming their deceased crewmates, showcasing the extreme lengths individuals may go to in dire situations.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of whales in the ecosystem?

    Whales play a vital role in capturing carbon and supporting phytoplankton growth, essential for oxygen production. They contribute to the balance of marine ecosystems by regulating prey populations and nutrient cycling.

  • Who was the captain of the Essex whaleship?

    The Essex whaleship was captained by Captain Pollard, who led the crew on a harrowing journey that culminated in a tragic encounter with a vengeful whale.

  • What challenges did the crew of the Essex face during their voyage?

    The crew of the Essex faced challenges like bad weather, damaged whaleboats, desertion, and scarcity of resources, leading to a series of unfortunate events that tested their survival skills.

  • How did the crew of the Essex survive after the shipwreck?

    After the Essex was sunk by a vengeful whale, the crew salvaged food, water, and equipment before setting off in three whaleboats towards the Society Islands. They faced dehydration, hypernatremia, and resorted to cannibalism to survive the harsh conditions.

  • How did the crew of the Essex get rescued?

    The crew of the Essex was eventually rescued by different ships after enduring extreme hardships, including consuming their deceased crewmates to survive. Captain Pollard and Ramsdell were found by the ship Dauphin, while Chase, Nickerson, and Lawrence were rescued by the ship Indian, describing them as suffering and miserable.

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Summary

00:00

Whaling ship Essex: A harrowing journey

  • The Essex whaleship's journey was likened to being stuck with a boring cousin for over six months, with the crew facing harrowing experiences.
  • The narrator, a mortuary school graduate, listened to "Moby Dick" on a long drive, discovering the dark true story of the whaling ship Essex.
  • Nantucket's history involved English settlers depleting resources, turning to whaling, and decimating the Wampanoag population and whale population.
  • Nantucket whalers pursued sperm whales for their oil, crucial for lighting and industrial purposes, leading to a significant decline in sperm whale population.
  • Whales play a vital role in capturing carbon and supporting phytoplankton growth, essential for oxygen production.
  • The Essex crew, led by Captain Pollard, embarked on a voyage to South America, facing challenges like bad weather and damaged whaleboats.
  • The crew engaged in a whale hunt, involving harpooning, killing, and processing the whales for oil, spermaceti, and ambergris.
  • Despite initial struggles, the Essex crew found success off the coast of Chile, killing and processing multiple whales.
  • Captain Pollard aimed to venture to the Offshore Ground for more whales, facing desertion, capturing tortoises for food, and contributing to the extinction of Galapagos tortoises.
  • The Essex faced a Moby Dick-like scenario in the Pacific Ocean, with the crew encountering a giant whale, setting the stage for further dramatic events.

13:58

Whale attack leads to cannibalism for survival.

  • An 85-foot-long whale is reported to be acting strangely nearby, leading the captain and crew to pursue it in whaleboats.
  • The whale unexpectedly rams into the Essex's port side, causing chaos and the crew to fall.
  • This incident marks the first known whale attack on a ship, seen as a form of revenge for years of whale slaughter.
  • The whale strikes the Essex again, causing it to capsize within 10 minutes of the initial hit.
  • The crew salvages food, water, and equipment before setting off in three whaleboats towards the Society Islands.
  • Each boat is equipped with 200 pounds of hardtack, 65 gallons of water, and two Galapagos tortoises.
  • The crew faces dehydration and hypernatremia due to limited rations, with painful sores developing from saltwater exposure.
  • After days adrift, they reach Henderson Island but find it unsustainable after depleting its resources.
  • The crew decides to leave the island, with three men opting to stay behind due to illness and survival concerns.
  • As the crew continues towards Easter Island, they face worsening conditions, resorting to cannibalism to survive, particularly among the black whalers on the boats.

27:46

Cannibalism and Survival at Sea

  • By January 29th, Hendricks' boat had disappeared, leaving Captain Pollard, his crew, and Samuel Reed's half-eaten corpse adrift at sea without navigational equipment.
  • On February 6th, the men in Pollard's boat ran out of food, leading to a desperate decision to draw lots to determine who would be killed and eaten next, with Owen Coffin being chosen.
  • Despite Captain Pollard's offer to take Coffin's place, Coffin insisted on fulfilling his fate, leading to his death and consumption by the crew.
  • On February 8th, Isaac Cole died on Chase's ship, and the crew resorted to eating him despite his flesh turning rancid.
  • By February 14th, all of Cole had been consumed, and four days later, a ship from London, the Indian, rescued Chase, Nickerson, and Lawrence, describing them as suffering and miserable.
  • Captain Pollard and Ramsdell, barely holding on, were found by the ship Dauphin on February 23rd, after surviving by consuming marrow from the bones of their deceased crewmates.
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