The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.26 (703 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0156006898 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 106 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2017-06-18 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Some 90 days later, a few men were rescued--but not before they had been forced to make a terrible decision. Literary inspiration aside, The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex is a well-told, truly gripping tale. The story clearly caught Melville's imagination--"The reading of this wondrous story upon the landless sea, and close to the very latitude of the shipwreck had a surprising effect on me"--and ten years later he published Moby Dick. On November 20, 1820, a sperm whale repeatedly rammed the whaleship Essex, causing her to sink. Twenty years after the wreck, young William Chase, Owen's son, was serving on the Lima when it met another whaler called the Acushnet. The crews spent some time together, and Chase told his father's story to 21-year-old Herman Melville, and lent him a copy of his father's book. To shed tears was indeed altogether unavailing and withal unmanly; yet I wa
Fascinating Historical Account Fascinating story and interesting prose written in 1821. Ron Howard's movie "In the Heart of the Sea" (also an excellent film) is based on this story. Surprisingly readable for such an old book. The Wikipedia article says Chase used a ghost writer, which would explain the high quality prose. The ghost writer is not named anywhere I know of.. Contemplative Although written in the antiquated vernacular of a nineteenth century sailor, this book made me reflect on human nature and how we live with a sense of entitlement in the 21st century. Told simply and modestly, this sailor's memoir is remarkable and humbling.. Michael B said Terrifying, almost unbelievable.. The true story in Owen Chase's own words, as a seaman's log. Its clarity and brevity of language is chilling.
. She is a former book editor and reviewer. Iola Haverstick was a reporter for Life for several years
On the morning of November 20, 1820, in the Pacific Ocean, an enraged sperm whale rammed the Nantucket whaler Essex. Without charts, alone on the open seas, and thousands of miles from any known land, the sailors began their terrifying journey of survival. The elements of his tale inspired Herman Melville (who was born the year the Essex sank) to write the classic Moby Dick. As the boat began to sink, her crew of thirty had time only to collect some bread and water before pulling away in three frail open boats. Ninety days later, after much suffering and death by starvation, intense heat, and dehydration, only eight men survived to reach land. One of them was Owen Chase, first mate of the ill-fated ship, whose account of the long and perilous journey has become a classic of endurance and human courage. A gallant saga of the sea, this riveting narration of life and death, of man against the deep, will enthrall readers.