If not based of a singular event it certainly was not uncommon to lose men off a whale boat..In 1890 the Essex (the basis for Moby Dick) lost all but 8 men after being ramed by a whale. In 1828 the Courier lost a full whale boat crew by being taken under by a whale. In 1831 the Honqua recovered a man lost overboard but in the rescue lost the 2nd & 3rd mate & 4 other crew. From the bark Franklin, in 1832, Captain Brock & all his boats' crew were lost while fast to a whale. These are remarks from the Report Of Commissioner Of Fish & Fisheries of vessels sailing only out of New England waters. Barry