BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014

Subject: BS: CharlesW.Morgan's38thVoyage, May17,'14
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 03 May 14 - 04:52 PM

For the first time in more than 70 years and after almost five years of restoration the Charles W. Morgan, the last surviving wooden whaleship, is scheduled to leave Mystic, Connecticut, on May 17, 2014, for a voyage of about six weeks with ports of call in all three southern New England states. She will be towed into and out of ports, but the plan is to raise her sails as much as possible. She will have navigation and communication equipment on this voyage, but no motor will be added. How will she sail? Nobody is sure because no one who sailed on her before is able to sail on her now. She does, however, have an experienced tall ships captain who has chosen his crew. She will be open to the public at some ports, and there will be a dockside exhibition at most of those. Here's a link to her itinerary and more information. http://www.mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage/ I plan to see her at some ports and hope you can, too.

Subject: RE: BS: CharlesW.Morgan's38thVoyage, May17,'14
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 May 14 - 12:51 AM

It was a thrill to see the Morgan at Mystic. It's exciting to hear she's going to see - but I hope she stays safe.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 May 14 - 05:28 PM

There's a lot riding on the success of this voyage. If it's a success there might be more. If there are problems she may revert back to an in-situ museum ship.

I applaud the decision to sail her again after this magnificent rebuild.

Charlie Ipcar

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 04 May 14 - 09:11 PM

I plan to be at the seaport when she leaves. I want to see her at some of her ports of call and to be present when she comes home. I hope that all goes well throughout her journey.

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 16 May 14 - 08:45 PM

Fingers crossed that this happens on time. It may be rainy. So far the Mystic Seaport website says that it is a go. The grounds, which usually open at 9 during warm months, will open at 8:15. There will be a ceremony at 8:45 with the towing set to begin at 9:15. The rain date is Sunday, May 18, with the ceremony starting at 9:30 and the Morgan casting off at 10. I hope it is safe for her to go tomorrow, but I'll have to get up at what time? Oh. Uh-oh. I am not a morning person, but I can and will do this!

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: Mrrzy
Date: 17 May 14 - 01:36 PM

Too cool. No whaling, though, not even for nostalgia's sake, I assume!

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: Greg F.
Date: 17 May 14 - 02:09 PM

Ya know, if anyone (Inuit excluded) was crazy enough to hunt whales from an oversized rowboat made of 3/8" spruce using only oar/sail power & only hand-thrown harpoons - I say, let 'em go at it.

PLUS they should impose the conditions, above, on the Japanese.

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: Greg F.
Date: 17 May 14 - 02:14 PM

Ooops. For "spruce" read "cedar"

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: Jeri
Date: 17 May 14 - 06:55 PM

Sailing, not whaling. ;)
I think it's a good idea to tell people about what used to happen. The de-pretty-fying of the age of whaling makes it less likely people might see it in a nostalgic way, so it's good they can travel around and tell the story. And the songs are good.

The Charles W. Morgan and its beginning journey.was on the news this morning. Granted, it was NECN (New England Cable News), but they got a fairly large chunk of time.

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 18 May 14 - 10:55 AM

It was great! Here's the photo I wish I could have taken followed by an article about her journey from Mystic to New London. Note that the sails have not yet been placed on the yards. http://www.mysticseaport.org/news/2014/charles-w-morgan-arrives-in-new-london/

Here's a chart of this first leg of her voyage. If the zoom-out device doesn't appear on the chart when you go to this link, move your cursor onto the chart and it will show up. Then you can zoom out to see where she began as well as where she ended up. http://www.mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage/chart/

And to learn a whole lot more, go here and click on whatever interests you! http://www.mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage/

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 18 May 14 - 11:17 AM

Wait a minute! Let me try to clickify those links!

Photo and article: http://www.mysticseaport.org/news/2014/charles-w-morgan-arrives-in-new-london/

Chart: http://www.mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage/chart/

A whole lot more: http://www.mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage/

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: EBarnacle
Date: 19 May 14 - 11:01 AM

Is anyone we know among the crew?

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 May 14 - 11:28 AM

I know Chris Koldewey is. Not sure who else.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 May 14 - 01:30 PM

Capt. Files used to be captain of the Victory Chimes Maine windjammer, a 3-masted ram schooner.

Charlie Ipcar

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: MMario
Date: 19 May 14 - 02:15 PM

I hope to go aboard at the Mass Maritime in July.

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 19 May 14 - 03:50 PM

The crew is at the bottom here. http://www.mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage/captain-and-crew/
The Voyagers who will do various parts of the voyage are here. http://www.mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage/voyagers/ All Voyagers had to take some training to do some of the tasks on their legs of the voyage. I spoke to two briefly on Saturday. The Stowaway is here. http://www.mysticseaport.org/stowaway/

I didn't find Chris's name on any of those lists, but I know some seaport staffers rode on the Morgan from Mystic to New London. I'm guessing that those who worked on Saturday may have that opportunity when she returns from New London to Mystic. Also some staffers rowed whaleboats alongside the Morgan. Chris could be in any of those groups.

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 24 May 14 - 10:58 PM

Here's some video of the Morgan's departure from Mystic and trip to New London. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/181903272424147446/

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 19 Jun 14 - 08:58 PM

I'm still trying to get over sleep deprivation from the Mystic Sea Music Festival. I should have posted that on Tuesday I saw the Morgan at her dock at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI. On Wednesday she left Newport and is now at Tisbury Wharf, Vineyard Haven, MA. I have my ferry reservation and plan to see her there on Monday. If you do a websearch for 38th Voyage, you can find photos, videos, articles, and blogs. I think I saw Captain Kip Files on the dock in Newport. At least I saw someone who looked like the man in the photos I've seen. He was carrying a sack, possibly a laundry bag, and walking toward the Morgan which I'd just left. I said hi as we passed, but he just kept walking. That's okay. I'm sure he has a lot on his mind!

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: LadyJean
Date: 20 Jun 14 - 12:50 AM

I saw the Charles W. Morgan 20 years ago in Mystic. I'm thrilled that the ship will sail again. It's a beautiful vessel.

If you're ever in Mystic, there's a smaller boat in a shed in the old seaport. They decided not to restore it, so it still smells of the sea. That's kind of a thrill too.

Oh, and a tiny church, which, when I visited it, had a very loud recording of a temperance sermon. After visiting the church, I'd suggest finding a bar.

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: GUEST,sciencegeek
Date: 20 Jun 14 - 11:34 AM

the hubby remembers seeing the Australia before she was determined to be too far gone for restoration.

Australia is a coasting schooner located at Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Connecticut, United States. Australia was built in 1862 in Great South Bay, Long Island, New York and was originally named Alma. Australia was designed to carry freight and to be able to traverse shallow water. Australia was used as a blockade runner during the American Civil War until she was captured by Union warships and sold at auction. Mystic Seaport acquired her in 1951 for use as a training vessel. In 1962 Australia was hauled out for restoration but damage to the hull was deemed too extensive and the vessel was permanently beached. Australia is now housed in a shed and used as an exhibit on ship construction

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 20 Jun 14 - 08:34 PM

Right! And inside the tiny church, which is called Fishtown Chapel, that sermon still plays. Sometimes, though, one of the chantey singers turns it off and sings in that building. It is also used as one of the stages during the festival. The acoustics in that building are wonderful, so no amplification is needed.

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: LadyJean
Date: 20 Jun 14 - 11:40 PM

I walked the Australia, and smelled the sea on her. I didn't know I was walking a blockade runner Thank you for telling me. The Fishtown Chapel is a pretty little church, with impressive acoustics.

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 09:24 PM

Today I went on the Morgan at Martha's Vineyard. I took the fast ferry (1 3/4 hours) from Quonset Point in Rhode Island to Oak Bluffs on the Vineyard. Then I took a bus to Vineyard Haven where the Morgan is docked.

I was there in time to catch Songs of Whales and Whaling presented by Craig Edwards and Denise Kegler. One of the songs they sang was Talcuana Girls (aka Yankee Whalermen). The lyrics to the chorus seemed more appropriate than ever because when the ship leaves the vineyard, it's next port is New Bedford!

"We'll rant and we'll roar like true Yankee Whalermen
We'll rant and we'll roar on deck and below
Until we sight Gayhead off old Martha's Vineyard
And straight up the channel to New Bedford we'll go."

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 03 Jul 14 - 08:32 PM

The Morgan is now in New Bedford, MA. She was built there and it was her home port until she could no longer be maintained there and Mystic Seaport bought her.

I had tried to board her on Saturday. Everything I'd seen had said she'd be open to the public until 5 PM. Because a big morning ceremony had been planned, boarding was not supposed to begin until 1. I thought the lines would be longest after the ceremony so I arrived at the state pier at about 4:10. There I was told that the line was so long it had been closed at 4 PM! I was not happy! In addition, I'd had to prepay $10 to park in a garage that is normally free on weekends. The good news is I got to see and hear Geoff Kaufman sing a few whaling songs. I see that online information now says the boarding line will be closed at 4:30.

Today I arrived at the pier at about 11:40. I got in a fairly long line that snaked back and forth 4 times. One boy about 8 years old passed out or had a seizure in line. He was practically right next to me but in a segment of the line that was going in the opposite direction. I hear a thud and before I even turned around I heard a shout for "Medic." A police officer got there almost instantly and other emergency personnel were only a few steps behind. The boy was examined and loaded onto a "scoop", then carried to a heavy-duty vehicle similar to a golf cart. His mother (I assume) sat next to the driver and a rescue worker stayed in back with the boy. The golf cart took them the length of the pier to the sidewalk. I could already hear the rescue vehicle's siren and see the flashing lights. I imagine he was taken to St. Luke's Hospital.

I did get to board the Morgan this time. Because I hadn't had to pay in advance at the garage as I'd done on Saturday, and because no performance was scheduled for anytime soon, I walked back to the garage. I wasn't sure what I'd be charged for the time my car was in the garage, but it was only $3!

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 04 Jul 14 - 09:37 PM

As far as I know, all is well with the Morgan in spite of Hurricane Arthur passing southeast of New Bedford. The state pier is off Rt. 18 is few miles south of I-195. According to the news, portions of Rt. 18 were closed due to street flooding from the heavy rain. The ship was supposed to be open from 9-5 today, but I see at some point Mystic Seaport posted that due to the weather she would be closing at noon but is expected to open again on Saturday at 9 AM. Last night, the New Bedford Whaling Museum posted a message on Facebook with a photo which those of you on FB can see if you go to the New Bedford Whaling Museum's page.

"Getting the Morgan ready for Hurricane Arthur, even though the storm should pass far enough away for her to be safe.
Crew readies the Morgan for Tropical Storm Arthur, expected to pass well southeast of Cape Cod. Snug in her birth-harbor behind the massive 4-mile long Hurricane Barrier operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England, Morgan could be in no safer haven on the Eastern Seaboard than New Bedford, Massachusetts. The ship remains open to the public. We will update if she closes due to inclement weather. #charleswmorgan #38thvoyage — with Dan Roche and 3 others."

Also, the newspaper The Day (New London, CT) has this article. http://www.theday.com/article/20140703/NWS12/140709852/1070/NWS

Subject: RE: BS: Charles W. Morgan's 38th Voyage, May17, 2014
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 19 Jul 14 - 04:02 PM

The Morgan is docked in Boston next to the USS Constitution. Here's more than you need to know about my trip to see her yesterday! I hadn't been to Boston for several years and was anxious about making my way around the city.

The Morgan is open to the public there only from Friday through Tuesday, and the MBTA commuter rail runs from Wickford and Warwick on weekdays only. Roundtrip for seniors is $11.50; you buy your ticket on the train; parking at the station is free for now. First I thought I'd go Tuesday when I'd miss fewer classes at the Y, but I hate to wait until the last day in case something goes wrong. Yesterday's weather prediction made me decide. It was glorious weather. I planned to board in Wickford at 9:10 but woke up early and and caught the 7:42 train. When we reached Warwick there was a fire on the track (? I'm not really clear about this), so we all had to get off the train and stand on the platform. Many firefighters arrived with huge fire extinguishers on their backs which I didn't see them use, but then they brought in a hose and opened a hydrant on Jefferson Blvd. At that point we waited on the sidewalk until a RIPTA bus arrived to take us to the Prov. station. All of us, passengers from Wickford and those waiting to board in Warwick, were jammed into the bus. The next Prov. train was also supposed to originate in Wickford. It was the 9:10 train I'd originally planned to be on! It was delayed 15 minutes (did it really start in Wickford and go through Warwick?), so we didn't leave Prov. until a little after 10. (Did anyone hear or read any news about this?) Because it's a commuter train, it makes many stops, so it was about 11:15 when I got to Boston. That wasn't a big problem for me, but I felt bad for those who were going to work, a meeting, or school (at least one passenger was a culinary arts student). For the T, I bought a 1-day LinkPass for $12. I might have spent less on individual rides but that pass gave me piece of mind: I wouldn't have to calculate with each trip I took. I took subways from South Station to Aquarium where I boarded a $3-each-way ferry from Long Wharf to the Charlestown Naval Yard. When I got there I saw from the board that a chantey performance had just started, so of course I went to the performance stage, part of the dockside exhibition. Denise and Chris were the singers. I hear Denise often, but Chris is generally at the seaport on days I don't go, so it was good to hear him, too. There was no line for the Morgan, so I boarded quickly! There was a long line for the USS Constituion, and that included a security check, so I skipped that (if I'd never been on her, I would have boarded her) and went to the USS Constitution Museum. I took the ferry back to Long Wharf and the T to Haymarket, where I ate at The Union Oyster House, America's oldest restaurant. I'd never eaten there before. I had considered eating at Durgin Park, where I have eaten before, but I see they no longer have communal tables which were part of the fun. Maybe it's because instead of communing, people were using their electronic devices? My late afternoon lunch was delicious! I decided I was running out of energy, so I took the T back to South Station. I wasn't surprised that the 5 PM MBTA train was pulling out as I arrived, but the next one was at 5:40. I bought a bottled lemonade ice tea and relaxed until I caught the train. I'm glad I caught that one. The next one was at 8:15. The ride home went without incident, and the train made 3 fewer stops than the morning train.