the Essex

The Essex was a whaling ship operating out of Detroit.

On 8 Aers 526, the Essex sailed out of Detroit for a 6 month hunt. Fully provisioned and backed by the finances of the Cadillac family with a crew of 20 led by Captain George Pollard Jr. After being hailed by the Houghton on 19 Hurog 526, the ship was not heard or seen again until suprisingly, nearly 5 months overdue, the damaged Essex limped back into port on 19 Stiirs 527.

Of the twenty-one men who left, only Captain George Pollard, First Mate Owen Chase, Cabin Boy Thomas Nickerson, Boatsteerers Thomas Chapple and Benjamin Lawrence, Sailors Charles Ramsdell, Seth Weeks, and William Wright returned.

Misfortune was not finished with the Essex, on 7 Gleux 527 a fire, possibly from from the damaged stoveworks, created a confligaration which destroyed the ship and some of the dockworks. Captain George Pollard Jr. was among those attempting to fight the fire and died in the blaze.

reported by Irene Ashwell, Detroit News on 10 Gleux 527

Creation Date

launched from Ford shipyard, 12 Stiirs 506

Destruction Date

Burned to waterline and sunk, 7 Gleux 527

Width

24 feet

Length

90 feet

Weight

240 tons (builders' measure)