Visitor access soon
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.