In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
Importance of Whaleboats
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These boats were used to chase down a whale so that one of the men could harpoon it. After the whale was dead, the men would row back to the ship, towing the ship. Once the Essex sank, the crew adapted the three whaleboats for sailing on the open ocean, by adding masts, sails, and higher sides to the boat.