Sea Adventure: The "Essex" and the whale (colour litho)

The "Essex" and the whale. Although the whale with its huge strength sometimes put up a splendid fight against the old-fashioned whaler, it rarely attacked without provocation. In 1819, however, the whaler Essex met a whale which had other views. The ship was not at the time hunting, but as soon as the whale saw the Essex he recognised her for an enemy and charged her with terrific speed. A second attack made her leak like a basket in spite of her strength, and she foundered, leaving her crew with month's boat voyage before the few survivors reached land. Illustration for one of a set of 50 cigarette cards on the subject of Sea Adventure, issued by Hignett Brothers in 1939.