Work begins
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 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.