Restoring an Icon: The Charles W. Morgan

November 2008 saw the hauling ashore of the mighty Charles W. Morgan in the Museum’s Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard for a multi-year restoration. Climb aboard the world’s last wooden whaleship and learn more about the unprecedented restoration of this American icon in the Shipyard Gallery’s exhibit, Restoring an Icon: The Charles W. Morgan.

The Charles W. Morgan hauled out in the Museum’s Shipyard. November 2008

Learn all about the tools and timbers and the skills and stories that are part of the preservation of this National Historic Landmark vessel. And while the Morgan may be a product of the 19th century, Mystic Seaport provides an interactive cell phone audio tour to guide you through the exhibition.

As presently conceived, the project will extend beyond the limits of wind and waterline to include lower bottom framing, replacing the interior ceiling, and partial keelson replacement and stem replacement. Remediation of deformed (hogged) sheer line will also be undertaken. It is anticipated that this work will be sufficient to address the Morgan‘s major structural needs for at least the next 20 years.

All work will be completed by using historically appropriate materials and techniques, in accordance with guidelines set forth in the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Vessel Preservation Projects.

The Morgan will be launched July 21, 2013 and will embark on her 38th Voyage to historic ports in New England in the late spring of 2014.

Restoration Updates

• The Morgan Launch
  The Morgan was launched successfully on Sunday, July 21. A crowd numbering in the thousands watched ...
• Approaching the Launch
  With only a few days to go before launch the shipwrights and naval engineer have developed a bal...
• Moving the Morgan
  On Monday, June 24, the shipwrights will start the process of moving the Morgan sideways onto the ma...
• Shutter Plank Installed and Caulking Complete
  The Morgan restoration achieved two major milestones in May. On Friday, May 10, the final or "sh...
• Shutter Plank to be Installed in Early May
  Planking of the hull is nearly finished. Seven planks plus the shutter plank remain to be placed. Th...
• Planking Continues
  As the planking continues, the starboard side is slightly ahead of the port side. It is anticipated ...
• 100 Days until Launch
  Planking is moving along nicely, having reached above the waterline. As the planking rises above the...
• On Target
  "The Morgan is on target for a July 21, 2013 launch," said Quentin Snediker, Director of the Shipyar...
• Planking on the Morgan continues
  Planking on the Morgan continues in earnest. In a typical week three to four planks can be placed. T...
• Memphis Zoo’s tiger cages contribute iron
  Installation of futtocks to correct the so-called "zipper" line has been completed and the new piece...
• Zipper Line Complete
  Restoration of the zipper line is complete, correcting the less than optimal staggering of the futto...
• Replacing the futtocks in the zipper line
  Planking remains on hold while the shipwrights replace the futtocks in the zipper line. This step is...
• Sixty-five planks
  The restoration of the Morgan has reached another important milestone. Sixty-five planks representin...
• Planking and work on the transom
  This past week four new planks were installed, continuing good progress. These planks are somewhat n...
• One year and one day
  One year and one day from now, July 21, 2013, the Morgan will be launched. This will be a significan...
• Featured at the WoodenBoat Show
  The Charles W. Morgan was a special focus of the WoodenBoat Show this year. Over the course of the w...
• Shaping the outer stem
  Assembly of the bow is progressing well. The outer stem is being shaped from white oak found at the ...
• The jib crane arrives
  The shipwrights and riggers, assisted by a commercial portable crane operator, installed the jib cra...
• Installing the new apron
  With the help of a large crane the new apron was slid into place on the bow of the Charles W. Morgan...
• Planking, cant frames and ten knees
  Planking continues to be the focus of activity but good progress is being made elsewhere on the vess...
• Removing the old apron, finding new timber
  The shipwrights have settled into a good rhythm on the planking. Thirty-one planks have been install...
• The new transom beam
  On a very cold and blustery morning on March 27, the Shipyard crew gathered to hoist the stern's new...
• Planning for the 38th Voyage
  Installation of the planking continues to be the primary focus of the shipwrights. Both port and sta...
• More planking, work on transom
  A second plank of white oak was installed in the stern last week. White oak bends easily after being...
• First new exterior plank
  The restoration of the Morgan reached another significant milestone February 21 as Museum shipwright...

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