If you’re 180 years old, once in a while, you deserve to get your bottom cleaned.
That’s why on July 19, Mystic Seaport Museum hauled the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan for routine maintenance and preservation work.
The ship was moved from its berth on the museum’s waterfront to the shipyard at the south end of the property where the public can watch the museum’s shipwrights perform routine maintenance until she is returned to the water. The museum hauls the ship approximately every 3 years for inspection and to paint, caulk and repair as needed. The ship should be out of the water for about a month and will remain open to the public for much of that time.
“This is a rare opportunity to see an historic vessel such as the Charles W. Morgan high and dry, where one can walk right up and see the shape and details of the hull, which is normally invisible under the water,” said Peter Armstrong, the president of Mystic Seaport Museum.
The Morgan is the last of an American whaling fleet that at one time numbered more than 2,700 vessels. Built and launched in 1841, it is America’s oldest commercial ship still afloat.
The 107-foot-long whaleship typically sailed with a crew of about 35, representing sailors from around the world. Over an 80-year whaling career, the Morgan embarked on 37 voyages with most lasting three years or more. Built for durability and not speed, it roamed every corner of the globe.
The Morgan was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966. Since its arrival at Mystic Seaport Museum in 1941, more than 20 million visitors have walked its decks. While built to hunt and process whales for profit, it now tells the story of an important part of America’s maritime heritage.
