BS: Whaleship Morgan Restoration, Mystic, CT

Subject: BS: Whaleship Morgan Restoration, Mystic, CT
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 16 Aug 10 - 11:55 PM

This information about the restoration of the Charles W. Morgan at Mystic Seaport was in the NY Times. Most readers of this thread probably know that the Morgan is the world's last surviving wooden whaleship.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/science/17ship.html

and the NY Times slideshow is here:

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/08/16/science/20100817ship.html?ref=science

I hope the links work. I finally joined Mudcat a few days ago. I tried to do it sooner but had trouble: Then I saw new information from Joe Offer about how to join. Now I can start a non-music thread!

ChanteyLass (formerly GUEST Janet

Subject: RE: BS: Whaleship Morgan Restoration, Mystic, CT
From: Les from Hull
Date: 17 Aug 10 - 09:00 AM

It might be a bit difficult sailing her again. Most of the large sailing ships that still go to sea (replicas and sail training ships) have an engine. Will they be putting in engine in the Morgan?

Also most preserved sailing ships don't have a great deal of original timbers in them anyway. They are like the old knife that has had two new blades and three new handles! But it is great news that future generations will be able to experience the old girl.

Subject: RE: BS: Whaleship Morgan Restoration, Mystic, CT
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Aug 10 - 09:01 AM

ChanteyLass-

Nice story and good selection of images.

It is amazing that the Morgan has survived all these years.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Whaleship Morgan Restoration, Mystic, CT
From: EBarnacle
Date: 17 Aug 10 - 10:56 AM

Good story. I got it earlier from the Times. She'll certainly have to be refastened. The Mystic river is fresh enough to encourage rot so a lot of the oak and pine will have to be renewed. I don't think they salt her down every day as they should. As mentioned in the article, many of the bronze pins will have deteriorated and will be in need of replacement. She's a grand old lady, though.

Subject: RE: BS: Whaleship Morgan Restoration, Mystic, CT
From: GUEST,josep
Date: 17 Aug 10 - 12:19 PM

I've seen it in person. I was a sailor at one time and a ship is cramped and wet and you'd better learn how to handle seasickness or you're in for a very rough time but even that was nothing compared to how bad it was aboard these ships. And these guys were out 4 years at a time. I know of one ship master who spent 9 months on land in a total of 15 years. I know of another whaleman who served 55 years aboard the same Arctic vessel. Rough life.

I hear New Bedford has been trying to buy the Morgan back without much success. I've been to New Bedford, Nantucket, Fairhaven, Hyannis, Provincetown, Salem, Boston, Newburyport and the Salisbury Plains. Not to mention Providence. And I live off the Great Lakes. I followed my old daddy's footsteps as a sailor. The sea is in me blood, me bully-boy! If I could take a little sabbatical from work, I wouldn't mind sailing the Morgan with an experienced crew. I don't know much about the wooden ships myself. But I'd sure like to learn.

Subject: RE: BS: Whaleship Morgan Restoration, Mystic, CT
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 17 Aug 10 - 02:51 PM

Timber from large oaks uproted by hurricane Katrina will be used in the re-building.

Subject: RE: BS: Whaleship Morgan Restoration, Mystic, CT
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 12:23 AM

Les, I've heard no mention of putting a motor on the Morgan. I think the goal is to restore her to as-near-original condition as possible. When she was moved from Chubb's Wharf at the Seaport to the restoration shipyard, the masts had been removed and tugs pushed and towed her. I don't think there are plans to take her far from shore, but the first port of call would be New Bedford. It will be interesting to see what happens.