Sense Sonnet - Chiller

How Did Poe Know?

In 1884 'twas true,
After the Mignonette ship had sank,
Four sailors in a dingy through
A week, and survival looked dank.
The youngest with no family,
And Richard Parker was his name,
Was killed by the others to be
Letting the others live, for shame.
Four days later there was rescue
Of the three living sailors, and
Parker's part eaten body too,
Easy and hard to understand.

Edgar Allan Poe wrote this tale
Before it happened in detail.