Scientists are connecting a Hollywood movie with a shipwreck in the North Hawaiian Islands.
In 1823 a Nantucket whaling ship called the Two Brothers ran aground on the reef in the French Frigate shoals- north of the Hawaiian Islands. Its captain was George Pollard Jr. – Survivor of the Essex- the ship wrecked by a sperm whale which became the inspiration for Herman Melville’s novel Moby Dick, or The Whale.
In 2008, a team of NOAA maritime archaeologists discovered the wreck- connecting Hawai‘i’s maritime history to the book. This weekend “In the Heart of the Sea” directed by Ron Howard opens in theatres – its plot based around the sinking of the Essex. (Read NPR's review)
To commemorate the connection to Hawaiian maritime archelogy, a short documentary called Lighting Strikes Twice: The Real Life Sequel to Moby Dick was released which ties the wreck to the movie. The short will eventually be featured on the DVD release of In the Heart of the Sea.
Kelly Keogh is a Maritime historian with the Papa-h?na-u-moku-?-kea Marine national Monument. She says the story is a great reminder of the impact whaling had on Hawai‘i’s history. Kough says artifacts salvaged from the wreck are on display in Nantucket – and is currently arranging for their return to Hawai‘i.
The Lighting Strikes Twice short film can be viewed on the Papah?naumoku?kea Marine National Monument website or below.
https://vimeo.com/146734532">Lightning Strikes Twice: the real-life sequel to Moby Dick from https://vimeo.com/openboatfilms">Stephani Gordon on Vimeo.
