Lakeman Asks for Twine to Mend Hammock
The crew member later identified as Steelkilt asks his forecastle shipmates for twine to mend his hammock, then goes to Mate Radney to request the material when none is available in the common area. Radney provides the twine, though neither the twine nor a lanyard Steelkilt is seen making are ever seen again; the next day, a netted iron ball is found in Steelkilt’s jacket, revealing his plan to use the twine for a weapon against Radney.
Steelkilt’s Foiled Revenge Against the Mate
Steelkilt had planned to kill Radney as vengeance for prior abuses, but a foolish crew member inadvertently alerts others and foils the direct attack. Despite this, Steelkilt ultimately achieves his goal of harming Radney without being the direct actor, as fate intervenes to carry out the revenge he had planned.
Moby Dick Is Spotted
At daybreak on the second day of the voyage, a Teneriffe sailor washing the decks spots Moby Dick just 50 yards from the ship. The captain, mates, and harpooneers react with frantic excitement to pursue the famous white whale, while the rest of the sullen crew watches with curses, awed by the whale’s terrifying beauty.
Whale Hunt and Mate Radney’s Death
When four whaleboats are lowered to pursue Moby Dick, Steelkilt serves as the bowsman assigned to Mate Radney. During the chase, the boat strikes a sunken ledge, spills Radney into the sea, and Moby Dick attacks the struggling mate, seizing him between its jaws and diving underwater with his body.
Steelkilt Cuts the Line to Free the Whale
As Moby Dick is pulled toward the boat via the attached line, Steelkilt intentionally slackens and then cuts the line, freeing the whale. Moby Dick resurfaces with scraps of Radney’s red woollen shirt caught in its teeth before vanishing, and the remaining boats fail to recapture it.
The original text of this work is in the public domain. This page focuses on a guided summary article, reading notes, selected quotes, and visual learning materials for educational purposes.