Nautical Term: Nantucket sleigh ride
Definition of Nantucket sleigh ride
obsessively referred to as the Nantucket sleigh ride, this harrowing experience was a regular occurrence for Nantucket whalers. As they ventured out from the safety of their whaling ship, these brave men would often leave the relative security of their vessel in small boats.
However, their quest for success and prosperity in the lucrative whaling industry could sometimes come at a great cost. And so it was that these intrepid whalers would often find themselves in a precarious situation.
If they were fortunate enough to harpoon a whale without mortally wounding it, the animal would sometimes take off with the whaleboat in tow. And this is what came to be known as the Nantucket sleigh ride.
This exhilarating, yet frightening experience was a common occurrence for Nantucket whalers. It was a thrilling ride that could last for hours as the whale swam tirelessly, dragging the whaleboat along with it.
It was during these exhilarating, yet potentially dangerous experiences that the skills, courage, and determination of the Nantucket whalers were truly put to the test.
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