Posted on 02/11/2011 11:50:12 AM PST by Stoat
Divers have found the shipwrecked vessel of a doomed sailor who inspired the classic American tale Moby Dick off the coast of Hawaii.
When, in 1820, a fierce sperm whale sank George Pollard's first whaling ship — Essex — it captured the imagination of author Herman Melville, who published the book in 1851.
And, just three years after his first ship sank, a second whaler captained by Pollard, 30, struck a coral reef during a night storm and sank in shallow water.
Marine archaeologists scouring remote atolls 600 miles northwest of Honolulu have found the wreck site of Pollard's second vessel, the Two Brothers.
Most of the wooden whaling ship, from Nantucket — just off Cape Cod, Massachusetts — disintegrated in Hawaii's warm waters in the nearly two centuries since.
But researchers found several harpoons, a hook used to strip whales of their blubber, and try pots or large cauldrons whalers used to turn whale blubber into oil.
Corals have grown around and on top of many of the objects, swallowing them into the reef.
'To find the physical remains of something that seems to have been lost to time is pretty amazing,' said Nathaniel Philbrick, an author and historian who spent more than three years researching the Essex — and its fatal encounter with the whale — the Two Brothers and their captain.
'It just makes you realise these stories are more than stories. They're about real lives.'
Officials from the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument — one of the world's largest marine reserves — were due to announce their findings at a news conference today, exactly 188 years after the Two Brothers sank.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
I see it was written in the UK. Must have lost something when translated into English.
You make it sound like its a bad thing... I'm with "Old Ben" on this one - I read many a novel (of the abridged illustrated variety) in my youth...
Let me try to rewrite the headline:
19th century shipwreck found. Captain of ship is associated with Moby Dick legend.
Amazing find. Thanks for posting.
Amazing find. Thanks for posting.
I'm delighted that you've found it to be worthwhile. You're quite welcome, and thank you for your kind words :-)
I think they are implying that you have strayed into the weeds of misplaced modifiers. If you move “off the coast of Hawaii” to a position after “find,” you’ll be fine. Moby Dick reliably cannot be placed off the coast of Hawaii. sd (recovering English teacher)
That’s nice to know. I just bought it a couple of weeks ago.
I think they are implying that you have strayed into the weeds of misplaced modifiers. If you move “off the coast of Hawaii” to a position after “find,” you’ll be fine. Moby Dick reliably cannot be placed off the coast of Hawaii. sd (recovering English teacher)
If that's true, then it's unfortunate that:
Any sign of Amelia Earhart?
L8tr
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The whale that sank the Essex didn’t push it into a reef. It stove the sides in open water.
From a reviewer: There have been many great stories of survival and tragedy on the seas, and this book is one of the best of them. At one time the story of the Whaleship Essex was well known in America, but gradually that story faded into memory. Nathaniel Philbrick brings that memory back to life again with his very well written book. The main events in this book took place in the time period of 1819-1821. The Essex was based on Nantucket Island, and in the first part of the book there is a very interesting history of Nantucket and the Whaling Trade. Enough information is given so that we understand the world that the men of the Essex lived in, and the ordeal that lay before them. The Essex was believed to be a lucky ship, but that reputation of good luck would soon be overwhelmed at sea. After several months at sea, the Essex was attacked and rammed by an eighty-five foot whale. It is fascinating to read about the attack of the giant whale on the ship, and to realize that the attacking whale was the actual basis for the whale in "Moby Dick". The Essex was severely damaged and in danger of sinking after the whale attack, and the crew faced the grim prospect of a desperate journey in open boats across the Pacific Ocean. The story of their battle for survival with little food or hope of rescue will grip your heart. Terrible choices of survival had to be made, and there are graphic accounts of starvation and cannibalism in the book. This is truly the story of a great tragedy at sea, but there is also the hope and endurance that can sometimes be found even in the darkest moments. There are moments of wonder with thoughts and descriptions of whales and the ever changing sea. I recommend this book to everyone that loves the history of the Sea, and the spirit of survival against all odds.
See at Amazon here.
Awesome story. Where is Queequeg?
Ordered. Thanks, “Moby” dickmc.
You won’t be disappointed...
Many times writers get paid by the word. Lots of words mean more money...:O)
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