The real background for the descriptions in Moby-Dick were Melville's own experiences as well as events that became known to him, which in turn were based on true events. The whaling ship Union, for example, set sail from Nantucket on September 19, 1807, for the South Atlantic. On the night of October 10, the ship was rocked by a ramming shock that caused a water intrusion. The crew was forced to abandon ship and was able to reach the Azores in their boats after seven days. The captain suspecte ...