The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex - A narrative account by Owen Chase, First Mate
by Chase, Owen - - edited by Iola Haverstick and Betty Shepard
pub. by Harcourt Brace and Company, NY - 1965 - -
(orig. pub W. B. Gilley, in late 1821. -- 128 p.)     isbn 0-15-699689-8 - - LCCN 65-12332 - - - Map p.ii-iii -- Introduction by Gary Kinder (June 1999) - vii - xiv -- pictures between p.46 and 47 -- list of people in each whaleboat p.89 -- Epilogue p.91-102 -- glossary p. 103-106 -- Total 106 pages.
Narrative of the Most Extraordinary and Distressing Shipwreck of the Whale-Ship Essex the original title was published about October 1821,
Very soon after Owen Chase arrived back in Nantucket. It was written by Owen Chase with assistance of a ghost writer.
Chapters
      We made the longitude of the Cape about the 18th of December
            (the trip from Nantucket, Massachusetts to the Pacific Ocean whaling grounds.)
      My God Mr. Chase what is the matter.
            (the whale hunt is on. Owen Chase whaleboat damaged and returns to ship.)
            (a sperm whale rams the whaleship Essex)
            (the other whaleboats return to the fatally damaged Essex, all are in shock)
      At half past twelve we left the wreck
            (They take from the Essex what they can to use to survive in the whaleboats.)
      The water flew all over us
            (listing some things in Owen Chase chest and other things)
            (a bit of a storm, leaking whaleboats, captains boat hit by a marine animal and needed repair.)
      There was a desperate instinct that bound us together
            (efforts are made to keep the whaleboats together.
            (There are 3 boats - Capt Pollard - First Mate Owen Chase - Second Mate Matthew P. Joy)
      I proposed to reduce our allowance of provisions one half - December 9
            (to survive longer it was agreed to reduce the daily ration of biscuit)
      There is land - December 20
            (a small island is discovered and landed on. Some little water is found. Birds, eggs and fish are eaten.)
      I hastily bid them good-bye, hoped they would do well, and came away - December 23
            (The whale boats left the island, leaving 3 who wanted to stay behind) -
      The terrible noise of the whale spouts near us sounded in our ears. - January 14
      It was without any objection agreed to. - January 28
            (Isaac Cole died 8 Feb and he was eaten) -
            (Note the individual whaleboats were separated in heavy weather) -
            (The whaleboat of Capt. Pollard was rescued by a different ship) -
      The captain hailed us and asked who we were. - February 18
            (rescue of Owen Chase and those in his whaleboat by the brig Indian Capt William Crozier of London) who took them to Valparaiso, Chile.
      Epilogue
            (What happened to the other survivors.)
            (Note in Capt Pollards boat more died and were eaten.)
            (other narratives of the events. Capt. Pollard spoke to missionaries who recorded what he said.)

This was an excellent read. But it is written in 1821 and language used is that of that period.

~2021-08-11~

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