A famous old whaling print, circa 1850, showing mate attempting to lance and kill a threashing sperm whale. In background other whales toss frail lifeboats into the air. The whale is on his back, showing distinctive square shape of the sperm. This copied from files of the old Dartmouth Historical Society and Whaling Museum, Johnnycake Hill, New Bedford, Massachusetts. (AP Photo)
It started on Dec. 27, when a Scottish singer named Nathan Evans posted a song on the video sharing app TikTok. Gazing sternly into the camera and beating his fist rhythmically on the back of a guitar, he sang: There once was a ship that put to sea/ The name of the ship was the Billy of Tea.