In 1819, a whaling ship called the Essex set sail from Nantucket with 21 crew members on board. The ship was supposed to be gone for two and a half years, but it ended up being a much longer and more harrowing journey than anyone could have imagined. The question that has lingered since then is whether or not the crew resorted to cannibalism in order to survive.
The Story of the Essex
The Essex was captained by George Pollard Jr., who was only 29 years old at the time. The ship was equipped with everything it needed for a long journey, including barrels of fresh water and supplies of food. However, things quickly went wrong when the ship was attacked by a sperm whale.
The whale rammed into the side of the ship twice, causing severe damage. The crew managed to patch up the holes temporarily, but they soon realized that they would need to abandon ship if they were going to survive. They loaded three small boats with as much food and water as they could carry and set out into open sea.
The Struggle for Survival
For several weeks, the crew drifted in their boats with limited supplies. They caught fish and birds when they could, but their rations were quickly dwindling. They also had to contend with storms and rough seas that threatened to capsize their boats at any moment.
As time went on, some of the crew members succumbed to starvation and dehydration. Others died from exposure or injuries sustained during the whale attack. By week six, only eight men were left alive.
The Decision to Resort to Cannibalism
It’s unclear exactly what happened next, but it’s believed that some of the surviving crew members made a grisly decision – to resort to cannibalism in order to stay alive. They reportedly drew lots to determine who would be sacrificed, and then ate the flesh of their deceased shipmates.
Some crew members later denied that cannibalism took place, but there is evidence to suggest otherwise. When the rescue party finally found the three remaining survivors, they reported that the men were emaciated and covered in sores. They also found bones and human remains on one of the boats.
The Legacy of the Essex
The story of the Essex has been told and retold in various forms over the years, including in Herman Melville’s classic novel Moby Dick. The fate of the crew has also been studied by historians and anthropologists who are interested in the limits of human survival.
While we may never know for sure whether or not cannibalism occurred on board the Essex, it’s clear that these men endured unimaginable hardships during their time at sea. Their story serves as a reminder of both the resilience and fragility of human beings in extreme situations.