In the Heart of the SeaTrue Story: All About the Real Whale Attack (and the Crew's Harrowing Turn to Cannibalism) That Inspired the 2015 Film

Mar. 15, 2025

Sam Keeley as Ramsdell and Chris Hemsworth as Owen Chase in Warner Bros. Pictures' ‘In the Heart of the Sea’ (2015).Photo:Jonathan Prime/THA/Shutterstock

Jonathan Prime/THA/Shutterstock

In the Heart of the Seaisn’t just an epic tale of man versus nature, it’s also a dramatic recounting of a real attack.

Despite influencing multiple books and movies, in many ways, the sailors' real-life tale is even more harrowing.

Though some moments were dramatized, Howard’s film remained faithful to the horrific events the sailors endured. The director toldThe Irisin 2016 that he didn’t have to “invent very much” drama after learning what the real men experienced and that the intense production — which included putting Hemsworthon a daily 500-calorie diet— made the cast more empathetic to their characters.

“At the end of the day, I would apologize to everybody,” Howard said. “[The actors] would just say, ‘Well, first of all, it’s just a fraction of what the real guys that we were playing went through.' "

So, what is the true story behindIn the Heart of the Sea? Here’s everything to know about the realEssexwhale attack — and the tragic events that followed.

What happened to theEssex?

Culture Club/Getty

First mate Owen Chase was reportedly the first to spot the whale, perSmithsonian Magazine. He estimated it to be 85 feet long and said in later accounts that it collided head-on with the ship, giving it “such an appalling and tremendous jar, as nearly threw us all on our faces.” By Chase’s retelling, the whale rammed theEssexone more time before disappearing for good.

Two weeks later, they landed on Henderson Island but found that it had few food sources. Three men remained on land, and the rest set sail once again.

In Chase’s 1821 bookNarrative of the Most Extraordinary and Distressing Shipwreck of the Whale-Ship Essex, the 23-year-old sailor wrote that the starved crew cannibalized the remains of one man who suddenly died overnight — a tragic survival tactic they would end up using again.

Of the three boats and 16 men that remained, eight more sailors died after leaving Henderson Island and their bodies were also eaten. Eventually, one boat disappeared entirely, and Chase and Captain Pollard lost sight of each other’s vessels.

On Feb. 6, 1821, one man aboard Pollard’s ship suggested that they draw lots to decide who would be eaten next. Fearing that if they didn’t eat soon, they would all die, the men agreed, and Pollard’s young first cousin, Owen Coffin, drew the lot. Despite his cousin’s attempt to take his place, Coffin agreed to the draw and was shot, killed and cannibalized.

How long were theEssexcrew lost at sea?

Chris Hemsworth and Tom Holland in ‘In the Heart of the Sea’.Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

TheEssexcrew were lost at sea for 92 days. Chase’s boat was rescued on Feb. 18, 1821, with only three men onboard, and Pollard and his last surviving crew member were found a week later. The third lost boat wasn’t discovered until years later, with only skeletons onboard.

Miraculously, the three men left on Henderson Island survived for four months on shellfish and bird eggs until an Australian ship spotted them. Of the 20 original crew members, only eight survived.

Who was Owen Chase?

Chris Hemsworth as Owen Chase in Warner Bros. Pictures' ‘In the Heart of the Sea’ (2015).Jonathan Prime/Warner Brothers/Kobal/Shutterstock

Jonathan Prime/Warner Brothers/Kobal/Shutterstock

Chase continued to go on whaling expeditions in the Pacific for the next two decades. He married four times — including to the widow of one of hisEssexcrewmates — and died in 1869.

Who was Captain George Pollard Jr.?

Edward Ashley as Barzillai Ray, Morgan Chetcuti as Sheppard, Chris Hemsworth as Owen Chase and Benjamin Walker as George Pollard in Warner Bros. Pictures' ‘In the Heart of the Sea’ (2015).Jonathan Prime/THA/Shutterstock

In a twisted act of fate, it struck a coral reef near the Hawaiian Islands and sank, marooning Pollard again on a small boat in the middle of the ocean. Thankfully, he and his crew were rescued the next day.

That ended the captain’s whaling days, and he retired to Nantucket, where he worked as a grocer and one of the town’s constables. Pollard fasted yearly on the anniversary of theEssex’s sinking until he died in 1870, per theNantucket Historical Association.

Who was Thomas Nickerson?

Tom Holland as Thomas Nickerson in Warner Bros. Pictures' ‘In the Heart of the Sea’ (2015).Jonathan Prime/THA/Shutterstock

Thomas Nickerson was a cabin boy aboard theEssex. After surviving the ordeal, he continued to work as a mate on whalers and cargo ships before retiring in New York as a master mariner. Eventually, he returned to Nantucket with his wife and operated a boarding house until his death in 1883.

Who was Herman Melville?

American writer Herman Melville circa 1860 ; Ben Wishaw as Herman Melville in Warner Bros. Pictures' ‘In the Heart of the Sea’ (2015).Hulton Archive/Getty ; Jonathan Prime/Warner Brothers/Kobal/Shutterstock

Hulton Archive/Getty ; Jonathan Prime/Warner Brothers/Kobal/Shutterstock

According to theNantucket Historical Association, Chase’s son gave Melville a copy of the former first man’sNarrativewhile they were at sea on a whaling expedition near the original attack site.

The writer met Pollard years later, after the book was published. Though they only exchanged a few words, Melville said the captain was “the most impressive man, tho’ wholly unassuming, even humble,” perSmithsonian Magazine.

Benjamin Walker (R) as George Pollard in Warner Bros. Pictures' ‘In the Heart of the Sea’ (2015).Courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures/THA/Shutterstock

Courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures/THA/Shutterstock

source: people.com