Nantucket sleighride
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A Nantucket sleighride was a term used by Nantucket whalers to describe what occurs immediately following the harpooning of a whale. The whale, realizing it had been harpooned, would attempt to flee and thus drag the whale boat along with it. The speed of the "sleigh ride" would vary depending on the size of the whale, with larger whales giving faster rides. The Sperm Whale was the whale that brought the most thrill, reaching speeds of 23 mph (37 km/h).[1] The resulting thrill ride for the sailors would last as long as the whale could swim before it became exhausted. Once the whale expended its energy, the sailors would kill it and harvest its oil.
The Nantucket Sleighride concept served as the title track of Mountain's second album.
