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Feb 2009 - Nov 2008 Chares W. Morgan Restoration Updates

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2.5.09

The Morgan's stair tower is in place on the starboard side. The walkway connecting the tower to the deck will be installed soon, allowing the deck to be open for visitor access. Framing for covering the deck is in hand, and when erected will be shrink-wrapped to create a weather tight and warmer environment to protect the ship. The ladies day cabin and windlass barrel have been removed from the deck. Over the weight of the windlass has contributed to the vessel's hogging, which is approximately 9 inches. The staff plans to eliminate about 4" of the hogging, which is the maximum that can be done without risk of damage to the keel. Without her ballast, which was removed for hauling ashore, the Morgan weighs 250-260 LT (LT = 2,240 lbs). When fully rigged on display, she displaces about 340 long tons.

Work continues below decks, where ceiling documentation is almost finished and more shoring has been installed in the stem and stern. More Long Leaf Yellow Pine logs have arrived from Thomasville, GA, and will be used for planking and ceiling.

1.30.09

The Morgan's stair tower is in place on the starboard side. The walkway connecting the tower to the deck will be installed in early February, when the deck is scheduled to open for visitor access. Framing for covering the deck is in hand, and when erected will be shrink-wrapped to create a weather tight and warmer environment to protect the ship. The ladies day cabin and windlass barrel have been removed from the deck. Over the weight of the windlass has contributed to the vessel's hogging, which is approximately 9 inches. The staff plans to eliminate about 4" of the hogging, which is the maximum that can be done without risk of damage to the keel. Without her ballast, which was removed for hauling ashore, the Morgan weighs 250-260 LT (LT = 2,240 lbs). When fully rigged on display, she displaces about 340 long tons.

Work continues below decks, where ceiling documentation is almost finished, and more shoring has been installed in the stem and stern. More Long Leaf Yellow Pine logs have arrived from Thomasville, GA. and will be used for planking and ceiling.

In other areas, the Conrad's lower fore and mainmasts are being restored in the Main Workshop. An ultrasound survey will be conducted to assess deterioration. The Conrad was returned to her berth on Monday, Feb 2. The Mina has also been moved into the Main Workshop for work on her keel bolts and keel and her engine has been removed for overhaul.

1.2.09

Interior work continues on framing, planking, and ceiling. As the framing and planking is removed, the vessel weight will need to be supported. Exterior supports are being installed to shore up the 'tween decks areas. More exterior scaffolding will be installed in January, and a shelter will be constructed over the deck to cover topside work areas and allow visitor access. Stair tower assembly has begun and is estimated to take 3 weeks to complete. The three- flight, 30-foot structure will provide deck access via an aluminum gangway.

12.12.08

The Morgan, like many whalers, was heavily built to high standards to withstand long voyages. She is more solidly built and has lasted longer than vessels built much later, such as the L.A. Dunton. Overall, about 30% of her is original, and so far, the current state of damage is in line with expectations.

Copper sheathing is being removed, identified and marked in order to replace it in its exact location. The visitor's platform in the hold decks has been removed to expose the full ceiling, most of which is original. After debris is removed, the ceiling will be carefully documented and assessed for deterioration.

Measurement of the ship's lines has been completed. We have had plank expansion for many years; we are now working on an expansion drawing of the ceiling not yet complete. The drawing notes the varying widths and curvature of the hull planking, which records the specific woods needed for specific areas, based on wood properties. For instance, long leaf pine is very strong, but doesn't easily bend, so it is used at the transom and mid body of the vessel because planks are relatively straight; white oak bends more easily and is used at the ends of the ship where the hull curves and twists more. Generally, on the Morgan, yellow pine is used at mid-ships, and oak at the ends.

Shipwrights are also patching the deck leaks, selecting woods to be milled for framing, and developing the methodology to raise large timbers up to deck level and then down below. Additional lighting is being installed in the hold, and plans for time-elapse photography of the restoration process are in development. Scaffolding has been installed around the exterior of the ship, and construction of the stair tower will begin when materials arrive.

In the rest of the yard, other watercraft are being covered and prepped for winter storage. Brilliant's masts have been removed from the main shipyard workshop, and Liberty was hauled out earlier this week. While most of the major work on the Roann's has been completed, her restoration will not be as extensive as originally planned, based on time and resource constraints. Currently, the public cannot board her due to safety issues, and locations for her long-term exhibit are still under consideration.

11.26.08

The Morgan was successfully sidetracked last week using shipyard equipment and requiring 5,000 to 5,500 pounds of force. Measuring her hull was preliminarily completed and details are being double-checked and lighting was re-connected. Now, careful documentation of her hold commences. An expansion drawing of her ceiling will measure the curve of each individual plank to ensure accurate replacement of the wood. The stair tower is projected to be installed in January and will be semi-portable so it can be adapted for use with other vessels.

Next, work will focus on shoring up her ends and removing copper and parts of the sheathing covering the hull. The existing long leaf pine ceiling will be replaced with the same wood, as will other areas of planking. The shipyard currently has long leaf and white pine, white and live oak and locust on hand. More long leaf is waiting to be harvested and milled in Thomasville, GA and Richmond, VA, respectively. As much as 25,000 board feet of wood may be used for his project. Stock for spars and a new bowsprit is expected from the West Coast.

11.20.08

Measurement of the Morgan's starboard side was completed last week and the whaleship was side tracked Monday, November 17. Up next, the vessel's port side will be measured. That data will be entered into a CADD (computer-aided design and drafting) program. Documentation of her interior and exterior will initially take several weeks and then will continue through the duration of the project. Some increase in hogging (a natural occurrence in all vessels caused by gravity acting in a downward direction and buoyancy acting in an upward direction) has occurred in the past nine years. The access stairs will rise approximately 32 feet from ground level and will be constructed as soon as possible after she is sidetracked. These stairs will be located amidship on the starboard side.

The full extent of restoration work necessary will become clear as the Morgan's documentation progresses. Initial focus will be on her planking, framing, ceiling, worm shoe and stem. A band of planking at her waterline and extending to the turn of the bilge will be renewed. Long-leaf pine and white oak will be used for this purpose. Live oak and white oak will be used for framing restoration in way of the replacement planking and long leaf yellow pine will be used for the ceiling.