The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

Win this unique and exclusive opportunity for a group of six to join Nathaniel Philbrick under the whale in Gosnell Hall at the Nantucket Whaling Museum. This intimate discussion will commemorate the true-life tragedy of the ill-fated whaleship Essex, struck by a whale on November 20, 1820, and of its survivors, left stranded in three small boats in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 1,300 miles from the nearest land.

Philbrick brings this gripping story to life as evidenced in his New York Times bestseller, In the Heart of the Sea, published in 2000 and which won the National Book Award for nonfiction.

Friday, November 20, doors open 5 p.m. discussion begins at 5:30 p.m.

Adhering to COVID-19 restrictions on Nantucket, we are limiting live attendance to 6 individuals. Tickets for attendance via Zoom with live Q&A are available at https://nha.org/whats-on/public-programs/200th-anniversary-of-the-sinking-of-the-essex-virtual-event-with-nat-philbrick/.

The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) was founded in 1894. The NHA is a leader in preserving Nantucket’s shared heritage while accomplishing its mission to preserve and interpret the history of Nantucket through its programs, collections, and properties, in order to promote the island’s significance and foster an appreciation of it among all audiences.

Learn more at http://nha.org. #ackhistory.