Book
Revenge of the Whale: True Story of the Whaleship Essex
- Published
- 2002
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- Pages
- 164
- Words
- 48387
- URL
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17782.Revenge_of_the_Whale?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_55
Reading measures
- Accelerated Reader level
- 8.3
- AR interest level
- MG — middle grades, 4–8
- Lexile
- 1170L
- Suggested reading age
- ages 9–14
In 1819, the Essex, a Nantucket whaleship carrying a crew of 20, began what all thought would be a normal, two-year voyage. Instead, after a year and a half of near-disasters, the ship was rammed by a sperm whale and sank in the Pacific. All hands got off in three whaleboats and were at sea for three unbearable months of short rations and little fresh water, leading to the death by starvation of some and the killing of others to provide food. One boat disappeared and the two remaining eventually became separated. When rescued off the coast of Chile, only five men were still alive, including the captain and first mate, as well as three rescued later from an island.
Tags
AdventureAdventure-SurvivalAnimalsBoatsHistoryOceanTransportationWhale