The Mysterious Orca Uprising: Sinking Ships, Old Stories, and Modern Challenges
The Age-Old Tale of Ship-Sinking Whales
It may come as a surprise, but whales have been sinking boats for centuries. One notable incident occurred in 1820, when a sperm whale attacked a whaling boat named Essex. The crew managed to escape to lifeboats, but their troubles were far from over. Reports suggest that killer whales, or orcas, later attempted to sink one of the lifeboats. The eerie similarity to the recent orca attacks in the Strait of Gibraltar is striking.
Although Herman Melville’s famous novel ‘Moby-Dick’ was actually inspired by a sperm whale rather than a killer whale, the Essex incident played a significant role in shaping Melville’s narrative. The crew’s harrowing experience, filled with cannibalism and survival in the open ocean, is documented in Nathaniel Philbrick’s book ‘In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex.’ This non-fiction account won the National Book Award in 2000 and was later adapted into a movie.
The Orca Uprising in the Strait of Gibraltar
Over the past few years, a pod of orcas has been wreaking havoc in the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar. These killer whales have sunk several boats and caused damage to many others. Sailors have encountered these orcas on numerous occasions, making sailing in the area a daunting prospect. The incidents have prompted sailors to resort to various tactics, such as creating sandstorms and playing dead, to avoid their wrath. Even heavy metal music, as viral videos have shown, failed to scare away the determined orcas.
Scientists and researchers are still trying to understand the reason behind the orcas’ aggressive behavior towards boats. Some speculate that the whales may be using the vessels as a form of social interaction or play. Regardless of their intentions, sailors are frustrated by the property damage caused by these marine mammals.
The Real Story Behind ‘Moby-Dick’
Nathaniel Philbrick’s book offers a gripping historical account of the events that inspired Melville’s iconic novel. Melville stumbled upon the story of the Essex in 1840 from Owen Chase’s book, ‘Narrative of the Most Extraordinary and Distressing Shipwreck of the Whale-Ship Essex.’ Intrigued by the tale, Melville went on to meet the former captain of the Essex, George Pollard Jr., who had become reclusive after the shipwreck.
Both George Pollard Jr. and Melville led somewhat secluded lives, with the former haunted by the traumatic events of the Essex and the latter only gaining recognition for his novel posthumously. Melville found inspiration in the tragic tale of the Essex, intertwining it with his knowledge of the whaling industry and his personal experiences to create the epic story of ‘Moby-Dick.’
