Dramatic new look
The Charles W. Morgan is taking on a dramatic new look. Framing for the shrink wrap cover is almost complete and the shrink wrap will be installed on the next calm day. Although the cover will be placed over the entire deck, there will be ample provision for personnel, visitor and materials access. The cover design will also provide for ventilation in the summer and viewing beyond the bulwarks.
The copper sheathing has been removed from the port side, numbered, photographed and bundled for storage. It came off easily and is in good shape, so will be reinstalled once the restoration is finished. Normally a vessel like the Charles W. Morgan would have had copper sheathing over the entirety of her underwater hull. The Museum only installed copper sheathing at the waterline to permit easier inspection of the bottom.
Shipyard workers have commenced the removal of soft wood sheathing covering the planking. This removal has revealed a tarred felt liner between the sheathing and the planking. This barrier provided another protection against water borne shipworms and similar “pests.” From the outside/in, therefore, the ship’s hull would have copper sheathing, soft wood sheathing, tarred felt, wood planking, framing and ceiling.
The Charles W. Morgan has been retopped several times by the Museum while in our ownership. This restoration will attack the below waterline amidships planking for the first time since the Museum acquired her. Previous work on the underwater hull had focused on both ends. This newest work is particularly important as it will restore water tightness and longitudinal strength amidships.