Stabilizing the hull
Approximately one third of the Morgan is original, including various planking, most of the ceiling, the keel and much of the framing. With this major restoration she will receive her fifth bowsprit and fifth lower foremast. In the first two decades of her stay at Mystic Seaport the museum invested about $275,000 in her restoration or the equivalent of about $2.1 million in today’s dollars. The last major project was in 1989.
Work continues on the various methods to stabilize the hull with particular focus on the molds to hold the hull’s shape. The molds consist of five wooden “straps” affixed to each side of the hull which are supported by stanchions. When the shipwrights resume dropping the keel, which will eliminate a portion of the hog and adjust the sheer, the stanchions will be adjusted. The longer vertical stanchions, which are also on each side, hold the vessel in place effectively “hanging” the lower hull.
Documentation is a key ongoing process. Not only does it consist of electronic measuring (the hull has dozens of metal reflector metal strips for a laser measuring system) and expansion drawings, it entails a review of the owners’ company records, insurance records and shipyard documents to determine what modifications and repairs have been made over her 168 years.
Several ceiling planks were removed and are currently displayed at the north end of the pole barn. There is no residual strength remaining in these planks. The shipwrights discovered that the ceiling is more shaped than expected, which will complicate reconstruction. They were hoping for flatter, less tapered planks, which would be easier to replace, allowing the work to go more quickly. When they start to remove the ceiling planking, they will start at the clamp and work down.
The shrink wrap cover is complete. The sides are being designed to allow them to be open and closed as needed for ventilation. The misting fans in the hold are working well and the hull has been covered with Anchor Seal. These steps will help to slow the drying of the hull.