Sunday, April 26, 2015

Whaling Ship "Essex" Featured



The Nantucket Historical Association's exhibit, "Stove by a Whale," features artifacts and sketches from onboard the whaler Essex, under the command of Captain George Pollard.  On November 20th, 1820, Essex was rammed and sunk by one of the whales hunted by the crew.


This maritime tragedy was an historical source used by Herman Melville for his great 19th century American novel, Moby Dick.  Until Titanic, the Essex was to most, the most tragic maritime calamity.  Surviving crew were isolated in three whaling boats a thousand miles from land.


Director Ron Howard directs an all-star cast in the production of In the Heart of the Sea, the story of the crew of the Essex.