398 DESTRUCTION OF THE ESSEX. 
were saved. Five of that number never recovered of their 
fatigue, and died at St. Louis. Those who yet live are co- 
vered with scars ; and the cruel sufferings to which they have 
been exposed, have materially shaken their constitutions. 
DESTRUCTION OF THE ESSEX BY A WHALE. 
As related by her commander, Captain George Pollard, 
My first shipwreck was in open sea, on the 20th of No- 
vember, 1820, near the equator, about 118 deg. W. longitude. 
The vessel, a South Sea whaler, was called the Essex. On 
that day, as we were on the look out for sperm whales, and 
had actually struck two, which the boats' crews were follow- 
ing to secure, I perceived a very large one — it might be eighty 
or ninety feet long — rushing with great swiftness through the 
water right toward the ship. We hoped that she would turn 
aside and dive under, when she perceived such a balk in her 
way. But no ! the animal came full force against our stern- 
port : had any quarter less firm been struck, the vessel must 
have been burst ; as it was, every plank and timber trembled 
throughout her whole bulk. 
The whale, as though hurt by a severe and unexpected con- 
cussion, shook its enormous head and sheered off to so con- 
siderable a distance that for some time we had lost sight of 
her from the starboard quarter; of which we were very glad, 
hoping that the worst was over. Nearly an hour afterward 
we saw the same fish — we had no doubt of this, from her 
size and the direction in which she came — making again 
toward us. We were at once aware of our danger, but escape 
was impossible. She dashed her head this time against the 
ship's side, and so broke it in that the vessel filled rapidly, 
and soon became water-logged. At the second shock, expect- 
ing her to go down, we lowered our three boats with the utmost 
expedition, and all hands, twenty in the whole, got into them ; 
seven, and seven, and six. In a little while, as she did not 
sink, we ventured on board again, and, by scuttling the deck, 
were enabled to get out some biscuit, beef, water, rum, two 
sextants, a quadrant, and three compasses. These, together 
with some rigging, a few muskets, powder, &c. we brought 
away; and, dividing the stores among our three small crews, 
