DAILY STAR
There is a dark tradition of the sea that sailors don’t like to talk about – so they refer to it simply as “the delicate question”.
In ideal circumstances, with plenty of fresh drinking water, an average human can last around a month without food. But in a lifeboat, adrift on the open sea, the desperation can kick in a great deal sooner.
And, as a last resort, sailors are forced to ask a question that will guarantee someone will die.
As YouTuber Mr Ballen revealed, the crew of the Nantucket whaler The Essex befell such a fate.
They had already experienced a difficult voyage before the ship was attacked and sunk by a vengeful sperm whale on November 20, 1820.
