Essex at 9.30 AM November 20th

Identifier: MS106.2
Title: Essex at 9.30 AM November 20th
Creator: Nickerson, Thomas, 1805-1883
Measurements: Unknown
Materials: pencil (marking material); ink; paper (fiber product)
Technique: drawing (image-making); writing (processes)
Date Created: ca. 1870
Location: Nantucket Historical Association Library
Subject: Whaling ships; Whaling; Shipwrecks
Description: A drawing of a sailing ship laying almost on its side, its deck facing away from the viewer. While hunting whales almost two thousand miles off the coast of Peru in the “Offshore Ground” in November 1820, the Essex was attacked twice within ten minutes by an unusually large bull sperm whale.
Inscriptions: Handwritten upper center: This Sketch is designed to Show the Ship’s one hour later \ when the Shrouds were Cut and the masts broken + falling with all Sails Set \ the Ship at an angle of 45 Degrees & water logged.; Handwritten lower center: Ship Essex as She appeared at 9.30 AM Nov 20th