Shireoaks: Local man fulfils a dream to help him complete his book

A Shireoaks man has fulfilled a dream by visiting the house of the sea captain whose misfortune inspired the novel Moby Dick.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Aug 2014, 12:00 BST
Pete Brammer outside Captain Pollard's house in Nantucket with a draft copy of his book about The Essex, the ship that inspired the novel Moby DickPete Brammer outside Captain Pollard's house in Nantucket with a draft copy of his book about The Essex, the ship that inspired the novel Moby Dick
Pete Brammer outside Captain Pollard's house in Nantucket with a draft copy of his book about The Essex, the ship that inspired the novel Moby Dick

Pete Brammer flew to Nantucket near Cape Cod, off the coast of Massachusetts, to see the homes of both Captain Ged Pollard and first mate Owen Chase.

Both men were aboard the whaling ship The Essex the night in 1820 it sank after being rammed by a huge sperm whale.

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The incident inspired another seaman of the time, Herman Melville, to write the classic novel Moby Dick.

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Mr Brammer has also written a history of The Essex, detailing the events of that infamous night on 20th November, 1820 when it sank.

“I visited Nantucket and managed to find the houses of both Pollard and Chase,” recalled Mr Brammer.

“Both these men managed to survive after The Essex sank, mainly, unfortunately, due to cannibalism.”

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“While I was there, I also visited the Nantucket Historical Association and the whaling museum on the island.”

“I was able to gain more information about The Essex and it’s crew which enabled me, after many year, to complete my book.”