The Loss of the Ship Essex, Sunk by a Whale

by Thomas Nickerson, Owen Chase, Thomas Philbrick (Editor & Introduction)

In 1820, the Nantucket whale ship Essex was sailing in the South Pacific when it was rammed by an angry sperm whale.

The ship sank, leaving twenty crew members floating in three small boats for ninety days. By taking drastic measures, eight men survived to reveal their astonishing tale.

This authoritative edition brings together the harrowing tales of the survivors, including Owen Chase's 'Narrative of the Wreck of Whale ship Essex' and an account by Thomas Nickerson, the 15-year old cabin boy who was steering the ship when the whale attacked.

[Thomas Nickerson and Owen Chase were two of the eight surviving crew members of the ship Essex].

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Classics, Survival, American History, Maritime, Memoir

231 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1821

Reviews

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Essex is one of the stories that inspired Moby-Dick, the other being the legend of Mocha Dick, an albino sperm whale who was a dick. This edition collects every first- or firstish-hand account of the Essex, which is almost certainly more than you need.

The main narrative, and the one Melville got his hands on, is that of first mate Owen Chase. As a true adventure story, it's pretty great. Gripping stuff. Surprisingly well [almost certainly ghost-]written.

As a companion read to Moby-Dick, though, it's not terribly helpful. The description of the actual fight with the whale has clear connections to Moby-Dick, particularly in a short passage describing the strength of a sperm whale's head; it's the inspiration for chapter 76, which is an entire chapter about sperm whale heads because that's how Melville rolls.

The other major narrative here is by a cabin boy named Nickerson, and it's even less useful. He goes into much greater length about the pre-ramming part of the trip, which is a little fun - he's a kid, so he's mostly interested in relating awesome stories about pirates that he heard from other people - but once the ramming happens, he basically plagiarizes Chase the rest of the way.

There are also some notes by Melville that are nowhere near as interesting as you'd like them to be - mostly concerned with starfuckerish descriptions of his own encounter with Chase - and some random other letters and bits, dimly interesting due to the lack of agreement about who exactly shot Owen Coffin.

Four stars for being a great survival story; two stars for we didn't really need all that other stuff.

[Nakita Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book The Loss of The Ship Essex, Sunk By A Whale is a first person narrative of the story of the ship Essex and the survival of its crew.The amazing but terrible story told of the troubles the crew from the ship Essex found its self in and how human survival took over their humility for each other. The story started out with the ship Essex sinking witch led to some of the crew surviving and going into 3 small boats with very little resources to keep them alive long. After being in the boats long enough a black man died and at choice of the crew was eaten for the importance of their survival. soon later 26 year old Captain Pollard made a questionable decision of drawing lots on who should be shot in order to be eaten for the crews survival and they went through with it. In the end of the book after 3 months of being in the boats and nearly dying of starvation only about less than half had survived just barely living their lives knowing the horrors they had seen and done on their great journey. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys intense history that holds great importance.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book after reading "In the Heart of the Sea" by Nathaniel Philbrick. Owen Chase's book is obviously dated in it's writing and the writing styles didn't appeal to me. However, it is the much more interesting true story that Moby Dick was based upon. The story has so much going on that I pretty much have to recommend it.

You might be interested in books with a similar vein.
"Adrift"
"Alive"
"Touching the Void"
All are stories of men surviving incredible odds.

[Ashley Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of first-hand narratives from survivors of the whaleship Essex wreckage. The shipwreck itself is legendary, but it isn't until the narratives are collected in one place that the scope of the horrors endured by the survivors really comes to light. And still, they may be keeping something hidden underneath the surface.

[maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

i actually really enjoyed this

[Guille :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

1820, el ballenero Essex es hundido por un cachalote en medio del pacífico. Sus tripulantes, repartidos en 3 botes, intentan llegar a puerto civilizado en lo que se transformaría en una odisea de 3 meses, en los que el hambre los lleva a recurrir al canibalismo.

Este libro contiene principalmente dos versiones del mismo suceso, narradas por los propios involucrados. La primera, perteneciente a Owen Chase, primer oficial del barco en el momento, y escrita al año del incidente, narra los hechos de forma profesional, amena y sin detenerse en los detalles escabrosos, usando de guía el diario escrito por él mismo durante sus penurias. Es, digamos, lo que venimos a ver. Esta versión sería una de las inspiraciones para que Melville escribiese aquel otro libro de ballenas que hunden barcos. La segunda versión, del más parlanchín Thomas Nickerson, grumete durante ese periodo y escrita durante su vejez, 50 años tras el suceso, resultó mi favorita, no por la relación del naufragio en sí, que es poco más que un copiar/pegar de la versión de Chase (pero que casualmente omite la parte del canibalismo), sino por la extensa descripción del viaje anterior a este, donde, de un modo bastante disperso, da detalles del modo de vida de los marineros y lo que vio en las localidades visitadas, continuamente mezclando con anécdotas posteriores, ya sean vividas, escuchadas , o una mezcla de ambas (el modo de hablar de un anciano). De especial interés por cercanía geográfica me resultan las historias relacionadas a la zona de Arauco, la Isla Santa María y el puerto de Concepción (ciudad que un par de años más tarde sería totalmente derribada por un terremoto y reconstruida en otra ubicación, dejando desde entonces de ser un puerto). Completan el libro una serie de cartas y fragmentos varios relacionados al hecho.

En general es una lectura ágil y muy disfrutable para quienes gustan de los libros de barcos, de viajes o de cualquier cosa que recuerde a Moby Dick (o las tres cosas, como en el caso de quién escribe). La versión leída es la de la editorial Alba, como siempre sobria e impecable.

Nota: Es un libro de 1800, por lo que el racismo y la crueldad animal son de esperar. Con respecto al primer tema, si uno fuese un poco mal pensado podría llamarle la atención algo que jamás se menciona y que tiene que ver con el orden de las muertes de las personas de color una vez empiezan a escasear los alimentos.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

After seeing the movie In the Heart of the Sea, I was curious to read these first-hand accounts of the Essex disaster and was lucky enough to win this book (as well as Nathaniel Philbrick's book) in a contest from Penguin. The two primary versions of events--from Chase and Nickerson--were fairly accurately portrayed in the film, although much of the backstory and personal conflicts appear exaggerations or entirely fictional. (I haven't read Philbrick's book yet, so I'm not sure if he sheds more light on these issues that are not dealt with in these primary documents). Nickerson's version gives us many more details about the events leading up to the wreck, but doesn't add too much to Chase's account of the two months drifting at sea, besides letting us know exactly how the three sailors left on the island were rescued, which Chase didn't detail. A third brief account provides even more information on these men. It was interesting to note that Nickerson never admitted to cannibalism, despite Chase's narrative already making that point clear, which was such a dramatic revelation in the film. If anything, this book has whet my appetite (perhaps not the best expression to use in this context?) for Philbrick's book, which appears to be full of well-researched details beyond these documents.

[Wanda]

29 DEC 2014 -- I am hoping this book and another by Owen Chase are one and the same. I believe this one is re-released to coincide with a television film narrated by Martin Sheen. Having watched and enjoyed the film, I would like to read the narrative also.

Mr Gerry wrote a lovely review of another version of Owen Chase's book. See review here -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I will place this book in line for reading in 2015. I DO enjoy tales of the sea.

[Rex Libris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Essex is a somewhat famous tale in the annals of American whaling. The ship was sunk by a whale (how ironic!) and the crew survived in open boats for three months, often relying on canabalism to survive.

Melville wrote about the Essex' saga in MObey Dick, and parts of that same story were taken from the plight of the Essex.

Along with the Donner party and the soccer team in the Andes, the saga of the Essex gives one pause to wonder what he or she would do in similar circumstances.

[Lisago5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first-hand account of the sinking of a whaleship from two of the few survivors -- cannibalism and all. Herman Melville was so intrigued by these accounts that 10 years later he would write Moby Dick.

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of my research and exploration of the tragedy of the Essex. Owen Chase's account is informative, if a bit biased. I enjoyed reading it.

[Micah Spiece · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s hard to rate a book like this. I read it after In the Heart of the Sea, which much better synthesizes and dramatizes the same events from this compilation of accounts; so I already knew the story in a more streamlined, accessible fashion. This is more of a reference book than a narrative, a collection of historical documents that are fascinating to read, but not so much if you’ve already (and recently) dived into the story. While the nerdy part of me loved reading what appears to be the writing and rhetoric of these Nantucketers in the early 19th century, and their accounts do shine fascinating light on what they deemed important enough to tell (or shameful enough not to tell), the disjointed versions don’t provide a holistic perspective of what happened to the Essex or its crew, which is so much more satisfying for me in Philbrick’s heavily researched title.

[Jami Zahemski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for Thomas Nickerson's account and the letters at beginning. This whole story facinates me but after reading Owen Chase, George Pollard and even Chapples' account it is getting extremely repetitive. Chapples was the most diverse but it chronicled his time on Henderson Island while the rest of the crew attempted to sail to South America. I think I'm ready for Moby Dick now.

[YolandaT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Si has leído "En el corazón del mar", este es un libro casi imprescindible que lo complementa y te ayuda a tener una visión más global de lo que sucedió. Aún conociendo la historia, es más fácil entender lo que sintieron los desdichados protagonistas. Y, al mismo tiempo, por lo que cuentan, cómo lo hacen o lo que omiten en sus relatos, profundizas en sus personalidades.

[Jon Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book makes for a nice supplement for Philbrick’s “In the Heart of the Sea” if you are especially interested. It’s nice to read about the story of the Essex disaster from two of the survivors in their own voices, but I’d say that “In the Heart of the Sea” tells the story best, and should be sufficient for most.

[Darien McCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I made the mistake of reading, the very thorough introduction. Which basically told you the book, in short and went through all the letters and diaries. Ruined it for me and could not finish, as too much been already said. Shame as would have been enjoyable. DON'T read the introduction first and will enjoy this!

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

First person accounts of the ship that sank in 1820, which Herman Melville used as inspiration for his book Moby Dick. I recently watched a movie based on this book, "In the Heart of the Sea". The ship's crew was forced to escape in 3 whale boats, one boat which was never seen again, and many died and were cannibalized in the other two boats before the few survivors were rescued.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dense, at some times difficult reading, but so very interesting, especially following In the Heart of the Sea. Chase's (first mate) retelling was so very factual, whereas Nickerson's (cabin boy) retelling had more of a human touch, incorporating more of a sense of experience for the reader.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating pieces of history from the time of whaling. The story of the Essex is a terrifying one, and one well worth reading.

[Lynn Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utterly fascinating.

[Stevie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than Moby Dick anyway.

[Aidan · Rating 4 out of 5]

harrowing

[sunnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed this one because it kept surprising me that this was a nonfiction book. every other page had me going what

[Tamhack · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about the whaling ships 1800's. It was not a fun business. The crew was away from their families for 2 to 3 years. There still was much uncharted waters, the ships weren't always the best for the open ocean and daily life was hard.

This was the story that Herman Melville based Moby Dick off of.

"On 20 November 1820 the Nantucket whaleship Essex was cruising the Pacific Ocean, almost a thousand miles from the nearest land, when it was repeatedly rammed by an eighty-five-foot sperm whale. The ship rapidly filled with water and capsized. The men were able to salvage some casks of bread and water from the wreck along with several Galapagos tortoises. Fearing cannibals on the islands to the west, the twenty-man crew set out in three small whaleboats for South America, 3,000 miles away, stopping only for a six-day respite on barren Henderson Island in mid-Pacific. Within three months of the wreck, more than half the men were dead, starvation having forced the survivors to enact the fate they sailed all that distance to escape."

The book is a composite of narratives from the survivors. All the accounts correlated.

Chase's narrative: Written in log/journal form. It was descriptive of the crew, places. longitude and latitude as they travelled on the Essex.
Some interesting notes from Chase:
P21"... On the 2d October we set sail for the Gallipagos Islands. We came to anchor, and laid seven days off Hood's Island, one of the group; during which time we stopped a leak which we had discovered, and obtained three hundred turtle. We then visited Charles Island, where we procured sixty more. These turtle are a most delicious food, and average in weight generally about one hundred pounds, but many of them weigh upwards of eight hundred. With these, ships usually supply themselves for a great length of time, and make a great saving of other provision. They neither eat nor drink, nor is the least pains taken with them; they are strewed over the dec, thrown under foot, or packed away in the hold, as it suits convenience. They will live upwards of a year without food or water, but soon die in a cold climate."
P34"The Society Islands were next; these islands we were entirely ignorant of; if inhabited, we presumed they were by savages, from whom we had as much to fear, as from the elements, or even death itself. We had no charts from which our calculations might be aided,"...
P43 "Strange as the extraordinary interest which we felt in each other's company may appear, and much as our repugnance to separation may seem to imply of weakness, it was the subject of continual hopes and fears. It is truly remarked, that misfortune more than any thing else serves to endear us to our companions." But he goes on to reflect further on the opposite... survival..
P48--the suffering of being on the open ocean; hot rays of the sun, thirst...
P51--"Bereft of all comfortable hopes of life, for the space of thirty days of terrible suffering; our bodies wasted to mere skeletons, by hunger, and thirst, and death itself staring us in the face..."

Nickerson narrative--
He was the youngest crew member at the time and just a boy. He was only 14 and this was his first trip. His account was written much later than the actual event. I liked his account because it was written more in story form. He wrote of his "impressions."
P89- Looking for whales on the mast head and it was dreaded..
P95-the trading on the different islands and the cultures
P103-104, 116--the process of boiling the whales for oil and the cruelty on these ships
P144-- The captain's "Fatal Error"

The tragic decision to survive

It always amazes me in what circumstances humans are able to survive.

[Kevin Bensley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating tale of shipwreck and survival, told through a very thorough collection of all available stories and records.

[Vice Matušan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whilst writing this I am on page 196, thus haven't yet read the whole thing. But I've gotten through the fair majority of it, Chase's and Nickerson's accounts most important of all. They both differ, and neither gave the exact full account. Also, there are some things that the movie 'In the Heart of the Sea' no doubt fabricated for Hollywood reasons, but still, a few things, while reading the accounts do bug me.
Chase obviously miscalculated the gain/loss ratio concerning the moment he was going to but didn't in the end hit the whale before the leviathan rammed himself in the leeward of the ship. He should have hit it, even though it would've meant messing up the steering mechanism.
George Pollard jr. was captain. His inclination had been towards the Society islands, yet he gave in to Chase's suggestions of sailing for the coast of Chile. Let's disregard the who's right and who's wrong factor here. I mean, the fact is that had they gone to the Societies as was Pollard's idea, they would've arrived there in the fifth of the time it took them to reach Henderson island. They had 3 weapons on them, and should there be savages on the 1st island they come to, they could fire a few rounds at them, or retreat and make for the next island. The fact had also been that those islands were safe to visit, as Nickerson mentions in his accounts. It's evident by these accounts that Pollard had been a meek person, too meek for the position of captain of a ship.
They had weapons, a musket and 2 pistols. They were attacked twice at sea, once by a killer whale and once by a shark. Why not use the pistols and/or musket to at least attempt to kill the mentioned animals and use them for food?
The water collecting issue via rain is a problematic issue, still, they had kegs in their boats, I wonder if they kept them open during heavy rains to fill them up.
Chase's boat indulged in one cannibalistic feast, whilst Pollard's was three times guilty of the same charge, yet only about 5 days passed between Chase's boat and the captain's being rescued. I don't believe Chase would omit one or two acts of cannibalism after confessing to one, so this one is at least a curious case. Or was it really that Chase, Lawrence and Nickerson could endure more and needed less sustenance than the men in Pollard's boat?
Nickerson seemed a most pious man during his life, as did most in his community. Yet, he lies and writes he did not eat Cole, but says that Cole's part of the provisions sustained them, while maintaining a preacher-like tone in his writing, calling upon God and Providence and the like in almost every line he writes.
I may have missed some minor things, but these are the main points. Otherwise, this was a rather enjoyable read and a nice filler to Moby Dick, In the Heart of the Sea and The Whale, the later which I feel is truer to the book in certain aspects.

[Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Loss of the Ship Essex, Sunk by a Whale by various survivors of that, the most prominent of whom, in terms of length of account, are Owen Chase (the 1st mate) and Thomas Nickerson (15 years old at the time of the sinking). From this event Moby Dick was born. Moby Dick is one of my all-time favourite American novels, but these first person accounts take some beating. Read of the hardships experienced, the whale attack and how some of the crew survived, at times by eating each other. 7 out of 20 men survived, 3 having been left at Henderson Island in the Pitcairn group. The Pitcairns have long fascinated me, indeed much of the Pacific has, and one day I'll try to get there. I wondered when reading this if the cave mentioned by Nickerson from the account he had from the men left at Henderson has ever been found. It had been, and there's even some controversy over whose skeletons they were. A whole site is devoted to henderson Island, an uninhabited speck in the ocean, and a very interesting speck it is. This book is not only tremendously interesting, but also gives a snapshot of what life was like for the average working man in the 19th century. Recommended highly.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is in fact the first-person narrative of the fate of the whaling ship, the Essex written by Nickerson who had served as a cabin boy on this vessel. Another first-person account was produced by the first officer, Owen Chase, and it was that book from which Herman Melville based his novel Moby Dick. Both Chase's and Nickerson's accounts are of immense historical value and scholars are quite thankful both men wrote their narratives down.

Nickerson's book was, however, lost for many years in manuscript form until it reached the hands of a historian who thankfully realized its value and set about seeing to its publication. The tale it tells is beyond any fiction and all the more harrowing and gripping for its reality. While the proactive attack of a whale on a ship and the sinking of that ship might seem like disaster enough, the lion's share of the book traces the journey of the crew in their lifeboats after this event and problems, suffering, and dangers they encounter are as powerful as anything in Moby Dick or any period fiction pitting man against nature.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting true story of a whaling ship sunk by a whale and the ensuing struggle by the whalers to survive and reach land. "Moby Dick" is based on this incident. I liked the fact the book included accounts by different people. It was interesting to see the different views of what happened.It's hard to believe that people can endure so much. The book reminded me of Shackleton's "Endurance" and "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption" by Laura Hillenbrand, both of which I've read within the past few years. All were interesting and testaments to the power of humans to survive what seems unsurvivable.

[Nakita · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book The Loss of The Ship Essex, Sunk By A Whale is a first person narrative of the story of the ship Essex and the survival of its crew.The terrible but important story told of the troubles the crew from the ship Essex found its self in and how human survival took over their humility for each other. The story started out with the ship Essex sinking from a whale which led to the remaining crew having to try their best to survive. The story's theme was to just never take for granted the life you can live and live life to the fullest while you can. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys intense history that holds great importance.