Hunting the Essex (A Journal of the Voyage of HMS Phoebe, 1813-1814)

This previously unpublished journal provides an eyewitness account of the epic chase of the USS Essex that was the inspiration for the film Master & Commander. In 1813 the British frigate Phoebe set out on a secret mission to counter the campaign by the frigate USS Essex, which had almost annihilated the lucrative British whaling trade in the south Pacific. After an epic voyage and a nerve-wracking rounding of Cape Horn, Phoebe tracked her prey to neutral Valparaiso where the American frigate was blockaded. A cat-and-mouse game that lasted months ended with an attempted break-out and a bloody battle in which Essex was captured.

While major retailers like Amazon may carry Hunting the Essex (A Journal of the Voyage of HMS Phoebe, 1813-1814), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.

We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.

Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of Hunting the Essex (A Journal of the Voyage of HMS Phoebe, 1813-1814).