We just received a new shipment from OcCre Models of Spain, and it includes the brand new wooden ship model kit the Essex.

The Essex was an American whale ship launch from Nantucket in 1799. During a whaling voyage in the Pacific Ocean in 1820, the ship was attacked and sunk by a sperm whale. The story of the Esssex became the basis for Herman Melville’s novel Moby Dick.

But, as much of a classic the story of Moby Dick was, the true story of the Essex was a more harrowing tale, as 20 of the ship’s crew managed to take to the ship’s boats. After 3 months at sea, only 8 people survived, resorting to cannibalism to stay alive. They even resorted to drawing lots to determine who was to die to save the others.

The true story of the Essex was the subject of the novel In The Heart of the Sea, which in 2015 was made into a major motion picture. The story was also the subject of the 2010 PBS documentary Into the Deep: America, Whaling & the World.

For some inspiration, check out this trailer from the 2015 film In the Heart of the Sea:

And this introduction to the Essex and whaling from the 2010 PBS documentary Into the Deep: America, Whaling & the World:

The Essex kit itself is a 1/60-scale wooden model ship kit that features a double plank-on-bulkhead construction. The kit we sell includes a full set of pre-sewn sails.

What could make this kit even better? How about a series of 59 videos showing you each step of construction! View them here:

CLICK HERE to buy yours now at Ages of Sail