The story of the Essex was recorded by its First Mate Owen Chase, one of eight survivors, in his 1821 Narrative o… In the aftermath of the wreck, Coffin was shot and eaten by his shipmates. The Story Behind The Song: Nantucket Sleighride By Mountain By Mick Wall (Classic Rock) April 28, 2014 A hard-rock classic that provided the theme for London Weekend TV's current affairs show, it was based on a true story of cannibalism in the whaling industry. Owen Coffin, to whom the song is dedicated, was a young seaman on the Nantucket whaler Essex, which was rammed and sunk by a sperm whale in 1820. Ironically, Felix was shot dead by Gail on April 17, 1983. She received a lenient sentence for criminally negligent homicide, and was a free woman two years later. "Nantucket Sleighride" was co-written by Mountain bass player/lead vocalist Felix Pappalardi and his wife Gail. The song and album title is a reference to the experience of being towed along in a boat by a harpooned whale (see Nantucket sleighride). Not groundbreaking, but it is well worth listening to. The title track is a nice mixture of classical-leaning intertwined with moderate rock; both "Don't Look Around" and "The Animal Trainer and the Toad" continue on the hard rock path so well-worn by this band.