{"product_id":"2940014947817","title":"THE LOSS OF THE ESSEX - Destroyed by a Whale","description":"The Essex sailed from Nantucket on a whaling voyage, commanded by captain Pollard. On the 13th of November, 1820, they were among the whales, and the three boats were lowered down. They succeeded- iii capturing a young whale, but the mate’s boat got stove, and returned to the ship to be repaired. Shortly after, a whale of the largest class, probably the dam of the one they had just taken, struck the ship, knocked part of the false keel off, just abreast of the main channels.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe animal then remained for some time alongside, endeavoring to clasp the ship within her jaws, but could not accomplish it. She then turned, went round the stern, and came up on the other side; and went away ahead about a quarter of a mile. Then suddenly turning, she came at the ship with tremendous velocity, head on. The vessel was going at the rate of five knots, but such was the force with which she struck the ship, which was under the cat-head, that the vessel had stern-way, at the rate of three or four knot. The consequence was, that the sea rushed into the cabin windows, every man on deck was knocked down, and, worse than all, the bows were completely stove in. In a few minutes, the vessel filled and went on her beam ends.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt this unhappy juncture, the captain and second mate were both fast to a whale; but on beholding the awful catastrophe that had taken place, immediately cut from the fish and made for the ship. As soon as the captain got on board, he gave orders for cutting away the masts, which was accordingly done, and the vessel righted;—the upper deck was then scuttled, and some water and bread were procured for the two boats, in which they were compelled to remain, as all thoughts of saving the ship were given up. In expectation of falling in with some Vessel, they remained by the wreck, making sails, and such, but were finally compelled to abandon it, and stood away to the southward, in hopes of getting the variable winds, and experiencing fine weather; but the wind being constantly from the east and south-east, they made much lee-way and were prevented from keeping to the southward. They continued beating about in this Way for thirty days, when they made an island, which they took for Ducie’s island, at which place the boats remained one week; but the island affording hardly any nourishment, and in fact, exhibiting nothing but sterility, they resolved on venturing for the coast; leaving behind them three men who preferred remaining there, rather than to venture across the ocean in an open boat.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfter a series of disasters, a part of the crew finally reached Valparaiso. Captain Downes, of the U. S. frigate Macedonian, on becoming acquainted with the particulars, resolved to rescue the three unfortunate men, who were left behind on the island. Accordingly he fitted out a schooner, at an expense of a thousand dollars, and sent her in search for them. She was out, however, but one month, and returned dismasted. The ship Surrey, captain Raine, lying at Valparaiso, was on the eve of sailing for New Holland, and as Ducie’s island was not far from her track, Captain Downes offered her commander three hundred dollars, to call there and take off the men.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn Thursday, the 5th of April, Captain Raine, considering himself within a short distance of Ducie’s island, which is laid down in Norie’s epitome to be in lat. 24 degrees 40 minutes S. and long. 124 deg. 17 minutes W. About 2, P. M., land was perceived, which turned out to be an island in lat. 24 deg. 26 minutes. Three poor men were seen to issue from the woods. The boats were presently lowered, captain Raine taking one himself. On approaching the shore, it was found to be dangerous and impracticable to land. Weak and tremulous voices, by the almost starved and nearly worn out creatures themselves, who could scarcely, from the miserable plight they were in, articulate a syllable. One poor fellow summoned up courage enough to plunge into the waves, and with great difficulty reached the boat: he said, one of the others only could swim.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfter warily backing the boat as near the rocks as possible, amidst a heavy surf, the other two men succeeded in getting on board, much bruised and lacerated by the repeated falls; which object was no sooner effected, when each devoutly expressed his gratitude to that benign Being who had so wonderfully preserved them from sharing in the destruction to which most of their unhappy shipmates had fallen victims. They had been on the island four months, living on wild berries, resembling a cherry, sometimes killing a sea-gull by throwing stones, and no fresh water but when it rained, which was very seldom. On the island they discovered the name of the ship Elisabeth, of London, carved on a tree, and a cave, with eight human skeletons, lying together.","brand":"OGB","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47152924328176,"sku":"2940014947817","price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940014947817_p0.jpg?v=1763617319","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940014947817","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}