Shipwreck of the Whaleship Essex
On November 20, 1820, the Nantucket whaler Essex had its sides stove in by an angry sperm whale, sending the ship to the bottom. Three months later, a handful of the surviving crew made it home after being forced to resort to cannibalism to stay alive. Their story as recorded by Chase in 1821 was a gripping tale read by many, including a young Herman Melville. This edition reprints the original text along with a new introduction, maps, and a facsimile of Melville's notes on Chase's book.Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.