Ishmael (Moby-Dick) morning Ishmael and Queequeg head for Nantucket. Ishmael signs up for a voyage on the whaler "Pequod", under Captain Ahab. Ahab is obsessed by the white whale, Moby Dick, who on a previous voyage has severed his leg. In his quest for revenge Ahab has lost all sense of responsibility, and when the whale sinks the ship, all crewmembers drown, with the exception of Ishmael: “And I only am escaped alone to tell thee” (Job) says the epigraph. Ishmael keeps himself afloat on a coffin until he is picked up by another whaling ship, the "Rachel". The name Ishmael is
Perseverance (1801 whaling ship) Perseverance (1801 whaling ship) Perseverance (or Perserverance) was launched on the Thames in 1801. She then spent her entire career of 16 voyages as a whaler. Early in her career a French privateer captured her, but the British Royal Navy quickly recaptured her. "Perseverance" would herself later capture a vessel too. She was broken up in 1841. "Perseverance" entered "Lloyd's Register" in 1801 with W. Stevers, master, Mellish, owner, and trade London–Southern Fisheries. Voyage #1: Captain William Stavers received a letter of marque on 27 February 1801. On 9 March he sailed "Perseverance" for Walvis Bay. She was at Walvis