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mahatmakanejeeves

(64,684 posts)
Wed Nov 20, 2024, 01:11 PM Nov 2024

On this day, November 20, 1820, an 80-ton sperm whale attacked and sank the Essex, a whaling ship from Nantucket.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_20

• 1820 – An 80-ton sperm whale attacks and sinks the Essex (a whaling ship from Nantucket, Massachusetts) 3,200 kilometres (2,000 mi) from the western coast of South America. (Herman Melville's 1851 novel Moby-Dick was in part inspired by this incident.)
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On this day, November 20, 1820, an 80-ton sperm whale attacked and sank the Essex, a whaling ship from Nantucket. (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Nov 2024 OP
And the ship deserved it LT Barclay Nov 2024 #1
And the ship deserved it LT Barclay Nov 2024 #2
Love it! keithbvadu2 Nov 2024 #3

LT Barclay

(2,933 posts)
1. And the ship deserved it
Wed Nov 20, 2024, 02:10 PM
Nov 2024

If I remember correctly they were following the common practice of the time and harpooning calves to be able to get the mother and other adults who came to help.
A huge male got angry and sank the ship. The description in the book “The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex” is awe inspiring.

LT Barclay

(2,933 posts)
2. And the ship deserved it
Wed Nov 20, 2024, 02:10 PM
Nov 2024

If I remember correctly they were following the common practice of the time and harpooning calves to be able to get the mother and other adults who came to help.
A huge male got angry and sank the ship. The description in the book “The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex” is awe inspiring.

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