Why was food a sensitive issue for Captain Pollard at the time that the crew complained about the size of their meat rations in the kid? Why did he react to the complaint the way that he did?
Pollard knew the Essex had been underprovisioned by its owners. He knew the rations were too small. However, he also knew that if this food was to last the length of their journey, he would have to feed his men small rations. For this reason, as well as the fact that the men had complained and had violated the officer’s quarterdeck (a challenge to authority), the captain had to respond harshly.
What were some of the dangers of Cape Horn? Why was it so feared?