Chapter 7 Summary

As darkness fell the first day away from the Essex, the wind steadily increased. The men were still learning to handle the rowing boats now adapted to sailing. Each boat crew divided into two watches. The officers decide that they would make every effort to keep the boats together. As well as helping each other if needed, this also was a practical decision since there was not enough navigation equipment for all three boats. The crews maintained a three-way conversation among the boats, even at night, and the men talked about their chances of survival. They hoped that they would see a whaleship when they entered the Offshore Ground, about five days sailing from where they were. Whaleships always posted lookouts so if a boat was near, so there was a good chance they'd be sighted.

The men had several options at this...