200th Anniversary of the Sinking of the Whaleship Essex with Nathaniel Philbrick

On November 20, 1820, the ill-fated whaleship Essex was struck by a whale, stranding its crew in three tiny whaleboats in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 1,300 miles from the nearest land. In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of this tragedy, the Nantucket Historical Association hosted this virtual event with award-winning best-selling author Nathaniel Philbrick in conversation with Michael Harrison, NHA Obed Macy Research Chair. The discussion reflects on the legacy of the Essex tragedy and the fate of its survivors.
It is most appropriate that Nat Philbrick help bring this gripping story to life in this apt setting under the whale skeleton in Gosnell Hall at the Nantucket Whaling Museum in full view of the appropriately-small whaleboat. Philbrick’s New York Times bestseller, "In the Heart of the Sea," published in 2000 and which won the National Book Award for nonfiction, has been recognized as a monumental work of history forever placing the Essex tragedy in the American historical canon.

[@BALOYBEACHBUM]

Thank you! After 15 of 20 years in the Navy at sea, You learn more about yourself and your respect for it. Many a Seamen have traveled her and learned to respect just how grand the sea really is!

[@keenansmith7265]

Just finished reading Philbrick's book - In the Heart of the Sea - and came right here to learn more. What I find most compelling is just trying to fathom what these men went through (survivors and non-survivors) while I'm living comfortably in 2022. I cannot imagine the hunger, thirst, and weakness they had to fight. Truly all about the will to live - which Philbrick also touches on well, particularly with Chase's boat. And to think about all the untold stories that we don't know about during those days at sea (mainly who got to survive vs. who didn't), secrets kept to the grave potentially...just a chilling tale that no man should have had to endure.

[@ilikesniffingpaper]

It's a great book, people need to read it more. The book is so well explained it makes me feel thirsty just thinking about these men's struggles

[@dmmchugh3714]

The book is absolute dynamite: an engrossing read , start to finish.

[@Vexarax]

I've just finished it! But one thing that confuses me - they bought all those skinny hogs, and captured turtles, and the poorer people didn't have very good food. But when they caught the whale they cast the rest of it into the water after getting the blubber and spermicetti stuff for the barels. why didn't they preserve strips of whale meat? Is it inedible? I'm sure that I've heard of people cutting up whales to eat their meat when they die after being beached :o Obviously eating the whale wouldn't have helped once their ship wrecked, but they were extremely upset about some of the food they _were_ given onboard (and got yelled at by the Captain) - but if they preserved the whale meat (dried it or whatever) couldn't that provide food for ages? I need to know the answer lol

[@parkercombs3119]

What a pleasurable interview and history lesson! Thank you for posting this amazing story!!!

[@beckyhofer4328]

One of the supremely fascinating stories in history. I am now reading Moby Dick… a truly brilliant novel. Thanks for posting this. I’ll be reading The Heart of the Sea next!

[@carsonforrester3061]

The game with the kids does not seek appropriate. I loved this talk so much great information and the books are great

[@jakubpelczar2193]

This story is exceptional. Thank you guys

[@kenj.8897]

Just a great interview on both sides , appreciate it being posted .

[@Hahahskhfdx]

But that’s what I like about history, even if I can’t see it all from their journals or books or scripts, I can put it into view of how the world is now, and put it bk then, and man I love it. Lalalove it. This is a true American epic. It’s awesome

[@Sir_Maximus_Hardwood]

Please do more content on the Essex.

[@cowboykelly6590]

Thanks for the pictures .

[@cmonhitme419]

Nat Top 10 ASMR/ Narrator Ranker List.

[@coobowie]

Fantastic insight while I'm at Albany Western Australia delving into the whaling history here.

[@handylady8015]

I’ve read his book about the Essex. I always root for the whale.

[@kenj.8897]

Ok Karen

[@goodknight37]

Excellent book.

[@vipermad358]

"Two Years Before the Mast" by Richard Henry Dana is a great book that anyone on here would love. His experiences DID change the laws of sailing forever.

[@TimothyJarrett-uq9np]

I'm from the middle of England..when I was a child I knew the story of moby duck.. as an adolescent I loved the theme music to a current affairs programme called man alive..the presenter brian

[@ThatOneDude6009]

They never found the Essex?

[@TimothyJarrett-uq9np]

I pressed the wrong button lol..brian Walden.. a good man and the music was 'the nantucket sleigh ride '..by quartz...as an adult I read what a nantucket sleigh ride was..then I read about the Cape codders then about the Essex...I never Forget this.

[@BALOYBEACHBUM]

I got the movie "The Heart of the Sea" Directed by Ron Howard, and watch it all the time, not sure if the movie was true.

[@tiderider]

Movie is horrible. Please read the book.

[@tapele5987]

What a good story!!! So relieving to hear about it and to know how that sperm whale took a hell of a revenge! "The tragedy" they say. The true tragedy were all the whales killed by these men and this kind of boats!!

[@hydevilist]

I came here after watching the movie.

[@sepulatura4698]

omg it didn't aged well this

[@patriciamiklik4057]

I hate to admit, my ancestors manned the Essex. Today, I'm not fond of hunting whales & killing them. I'm all about preservation & conservation, but I guess, back then, they all wanted oil/blubber.

[@jaabani]

It was how people survived just like what you do today using your energy. We are doing far worse in this modern day then back then as far as wildlife and the environment.

[@stellashepherd3229]

Me too. I always find myself rooting for the whale.

[@Vexarax]

They _needed_ the oil - it lit the industrial world and was their only source of income. It also was a brutal life for very little pay, but they had food and a place to sleep for the time they spent at sea which was better than being destitute and homeless. I do feel horrible for the whales though - just in those days there really wasn't a choice for the nen if they wanted to live and support their family etc :c Some developed a lust for the killing of the whales which also is so sad, but without it we wouldn't be where we are now. the industrial revolution was a necessary step of the journey and lighting the cities (and the other things the oil was used for) was part of that step along the way.

[@edeliteedelite1961]

And you would have wanted too. You would not care about what goes into getting you your technology or food as long as you get it.

[@andrewmartinez7559]

stop lying for attention your ancestors are worm food

[@audreydempsey247]

The eu/un must be for all western countries to keep our European cultural, heritage, identities and for our children to have a safe peaceful, dictatorship free future.

[@Foundry_made]

Ummmmm they're actually doing the exact opposite of that.

[@georgeviau4558]

...excuse me...this is total B.S....

[@77ytse]

It's actually pretty accurate.

[@georgeviau4558]

@@77ytse ...ya right...so is the old testament of your bible...

[@ilikesniffingpaper]

It's been two years and I'm still waiting for your true version :)

[@jlemaire9418]

I read the book. I'm glad he took the mask off like a man.