Tobacco Dock in Wapping. Jamrach personally rescued the boy from the tiger. The ordeal of the crew in the lifeboats is largely based on the notorious shipwreck of the whaler Essex, which a sperm whale rammed and sank in 1820. A sixteen-year-old sailor named Charles Ramsdell shot his childhood friend Owen Coffin after the drawing of straws. Coffin, like Tim, insisted on the deal being honoured. Ramsdell survived the incident and returned to life as a sailor. References British historical novels 2011 British novels Canongate Books books