The whale ship Ann Alexander, Capt. J. C. De-
blois, of New Bedford, was struck by a wounded
sperm whale on the 20th Augnst, in lat. 5 50 S, lon.
102 W. A large hole was stove in her bottom, and
she sunk so rapidly that she was abandoned. Crew saved.
Moby Dick was published in 1851 and was, according to Wikipedia, a flop. It also states that “the ending is based on the sinking of the whaler Essex by a whale.” This would make two such incidents, I’d guess there are more.