Category: Press Releases

Vessels Around the Country to Sail in Honor of the Charles W. Morgan

Mystic, Conn. (July 1, 2014) — Mystic Seaport and Tall Ships America, the National Sail Training Organization representing the United States, are proud to announce that July 12, 2014 is “Sail for Tall Ships Day.” Tall ships and traditional sailing vessels around America will sail on this day to honor the whaleship Charles W. Morgan, as she sails on her 38th Voyage calling at historic New England ports.

Painstakingly restored over five years by Mystic Seaport, the Charles W. Morgan is the last remaining ship of the American whaling fleet that once numbered more than 2,700 vessels. Built and launched in 1841, the Morgan is now America’s oldest commercial ship still afloat. The Morgan left Mystic Seaport on May 17, 2014 to embark on her 38th Voyage. Where once the Morgan’s cargo was whale oil and baleen, today her cargo is knowledge, and she sails to engage communities with their maritime heritage and raise awareness about the changing perception about whales and whaling.

On July 12, sailing ships around the nation will put to sea to honor the restoration of this great ship, the heritage she represents, and to celebrate the traditional skills of seamanship that are sustained and hard at work in the Tall Ships America fleet today. From Maine, to California, to the inland seas of the Great Lakes, to the sounds of the Pacific Northwest, all manner of brigs, barques, schooners, brigantines and other traditional sailing craft will hoist sail this day in common cause with the Morgan and her crew. It is a national celebration of nautical skill, courage, and adventure that defined America as a young seafaring nation in 1841 when the Morgan was launched, and still defines us as a maritime power today.

For more information about Mystic Seaport, and the 38th Voyage of the Charles W. Morgan, go to https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/.

For more information about Tall Ships America, and programs of adventure and education under sail, go to www.tallshipsamerica.org.

About Mystic Seaport

Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum is located one mile south of exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $24 for adults and $15 for children 6-17. Museum members and children under 5 are admitted for free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/.

Historic Vessel returns to Original Homeport; Opens to the Public on Saturday, June 28

New Bedford, Mass. (June 25, 2014) — Mystic Seaport sailed the whaleship Charles W. Morgan to a celebratory homecoming at her original homeport of New Bedford on Wednesday, June 25. The Morgan, a National Historic Landmark vessel on permanent exhibit at Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Conn., was built and launched in New Bedford in 1841, and sailed from there for most of her lengthy whaling career.

After a comprehensive restoration that lasted more than five years, the ship is on a ceremonial 38th Voyage to historic ports in Southern New England. Her last voyage, her 37th, ended in 1921. Today she sailed from Vineyard Haven, Mass.

“History has never been so alive as it was just now when we brought the Charles W. Morgan through the hurricane barrier at the mouth of the harbor. To see the people of New Bedford turn out to welcome us and show how they appreciate the project and how it validates the great history of this city was a great moment for all of us.” said Steve White, president of Mystic Seaport.

The Morgan’s homecoming to New Bedford is a major event for the city, which was once the largest whaling port in the world. The ship was last in New Bedford in November 1941, and has not returned since.

“The Morgan’s return showcases her former homeport to new audiences around the nation. The ship is a living witness to New Bedford’s Golden Age of Sail, and celebrates a tradition which remains unbroken; men and women continue to go down to the sea in ships, making the Port of New Bedford the busiest commercial fishing port in America,” said James Russell, president and CEO of the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

He added, “Our hearty congratulations and deep appreciation goes to the Mystic Seaport community for their herculean accomplishment in restoring the Morgan to full seaworthiness, and especially for their brave decision in taking her to sea.  We can take inspiration as our city looks to restore its own many authentic treasures such as the Ernestina and the Seamen’s Bethel, as the renaissance of the historic district continues to unfold. This maritime pageant is like no other in living memory, one in which so many have contributed so much. In the Morgan’s wake, we can best honor her by envisioning other grand activities for the port, which similarly inspires great accomplishment and captures the public imagination.”

A Dockside Exhibition

Beginning Saturday, June 28, the ship will be open to the public to board at her berth at State Pier near the city center.

In addition to touring the ship, visitors can learn about the Morgan, whales and whaling, and their importance to American history in a 22,000 square-foot dockside exhibition. There is a video and display panels that explain the history and significance of the 173-year-old vessel, the important role the whaling industry played in this country’s economic history, how the Morgan and whaleships were an early connector of different cultures, and how America’s perception of the natural world has changed over time. Hands-on activities include knot-tying, handling samples of wood used in the restoration, and searching the Morgan’s crew lists for familiar names or hometown connections.

A focal point is Spouter, a 46-foot-long, life-sized inflatable model of a sperm whale. Visitors can participate in a “What Bubbles Up?” activity by writing down their whale-related memory, question, or sketch and attaching it to a humpback whale sculpture.

Mystic Seaport interpreters will demonstrate the 19th-century maritime skills of a cooper, shipsmith, ropemaker, and whaleboat rower. There will also be live performances including sea chanteys, the interactive “Tale of a Whaler,” and a condensed rendition of the novel “Moby-Dick” – “Moby-Dick in Minutes.” Visitors will even have the opportunity to try their hand at rowing a whaleboat during select times.

Voyage partner, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, will have an exhibit booth to explain how the National Marine Sanctuaries interpret America’s maritime past, promote ocean conservation, and engage in cutting-edge research. They will show how whales feed and what they feed on, and present videos that feature information on the National Marine Sanctuary System, whales, whale research, and whaling heritage. Kids can even create their own whale hat.

In July, the Morgan will sail to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary off Provincetown, Mass., as part of the voyage. Stellwagen Bank is a popular feeding ground for whales in the summer months.

The ship and dockside exhibition will be open on Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day, with the last boarding of the ship to take place at 4 p.m. There is a suggested admission of $5 per person for those ages 6 years and older. Children ages 5 years and younger are admitted for free, as are current Mystic Seaport members with their membership card.

The Mystic Seaport dockside exhibition is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

A number of New Bedford community organizations, including the New Bedford Whaling Museum, have scheduled a series of events to celebrate the city’s maritime heritage over the course of the ship’s stay. For a complete list and schedule, please visit the Destination New Bedford webpage.

The Morgan is scheduled to continue her 38th Voyage on July 7. Over a period of days, she will make her way through the Cape Cod Canal to Provincetown, which will be a base for the ship’s time on Stellwagen Bank. Afterwards the ship moves on to Boston where she will tie up next to the USS Constitution and be open to the public from July 18-22. The voyage wraps up with a stop at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy from July 26-27 to participate in the centennial celebration of the opening of the Cape Cod Canal.

Downloadable Media

High resolution photos and broadcast-quality HD video of the ship’s activities are available for download and use by news media. Downloads can be accessed on the Mystic Seaport press page 

Links

mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/connect/press/
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/stowaway
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/stories

Social Media

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mysticseaport
Twitter: @mysticseaport, #charleswmorgan, #38thvoyage

About the NEH

National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. www.neh.gov

About Mystic Seaport

Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum is located one mile south of exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $24 for adults and $15 for children 6-17. Museum members and children under 5 are admitted for free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/

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Vineyard Haven, Mass. (June 18, 2014) — The 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan arrived in Vineyard Haven today in the next phase of her 38th Voyage to ports across Southern New England.

The ship departed Newport, RI, this morning and was towed out of Narragansett Bay and across the mouth of Buzzards Bay into Vineyard Sound. Once in the Sound, the crew cast off the tow and continued by sail alone to the mouth of the harbor at Vineyard Haven. The entire trip was about 42 nautical miles.

The Morgan is currently berthed at Tisbury Wharf in Vineyard Haven.

“We are very excited to take the Charles W. Morgan to the Vineyard because the ship has a lot of ties to the island. Many of her crew hailed from this place, and it is great to bring her here so the community can reconnect with their whaling heritage,” said Capt. Kip Files, the 22nd master of the Morgan.

The ship will be open to the public from Saturday, June 21 to Tuesday, June 24. Visitors can tour the ship and explore an expansive dockside exhibition that includes information on the history of whaling, demonstrations of maritime skills, and live music and performances.  A focal point is Spouter, a 46-foot-long, life-sized inflatable model of a sperm whale. Visitors also can participate in a “What Bubbles Up?” activity by writing down their whale-related memory, question, or sketch and attaching it to a humpback whale sculpture. Visitors will even have the opportunity to try their hand at rowing a whaleboat during select times.

The hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with the last boarding of the ship to take place at 4:30 p.m. There is a suggested admission of $5.

The dockside exhibition is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Morgan will remain in Vineyard Haven until June 25, when she is scheduled to sail to New Bedford, Mass.

Links:
mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/connect/press/
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/stowaway
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/stories

Social Media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mysticseaport
Twitter: @mysticseaport

About the NEH
National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. www.neh.gov

About Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum is located one mile south of exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $24 for adults and $15 for children 6-17. Museum members and children under 5 are admitted for free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/

Historic Vessel to Open to the Public on Tuesday, June 17

NEWPORT, Rhode Island (June 15, 2014) — The historic whaleship Charles W. Morgan, America’s oldest commercial vessel and a National Historic Landmark, completed the first leg of her 38th Voyage when she sailed into Newport, Rhode Island, today.

This is the Morgan’s first sailing voyage since 1921.

The Morgan cast off from City Pier in New London, Conn., at 6:15 a.m. and was towed up Fishers Island Sound and through Watch Hill Passage. Once on Block Island Sound the ship dropped the tow and set all working sail to make her way to Newport. She arrived in the harbor and tied up at Fort Adams at 6 p.m.

“Seeing the ship with her sails set just as they were in the heyday of her whaling career was an incredible sight. It was truly seeing history come alive,” said Steve White, president of Mystic Seaport.

Sunday was the first time the Morgan‘s 38th Voyagers were on board the ship. The Voyagers are individuals from around the world who applied to participate in one leg of the Voyage, and then communicate their experience based on their discipline or talent. Voyagers range from poets and scholars, to musicians and artists. There were nine Voyagers on this leg.

Matthew Ecklund, an artist and educator with Call of the Sea, a non-profit marine education organization based in Sausalito, Calif., spent his time on board sketching the crew at work as the basis for a series of quill and ink illustrations to be used in future exhibitions and programs.

“I hope to bring back the lessons that can only be learned by first-hand experience. The 38th Voyage is an exciting and inspiring event for so many people, and I want to be able to take the experience of the 19^th-century sailor and use it to inform what we try to achieve in our education programs in California,” said Ecklund.

The 38th Voyager program is made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

The Morgan will be open to the public at Fort Adams from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17. She is scheduled to continue her voyage with a transit to Vineyard Haven, Mass., on June 18.

Downloadable Media:

High resolution photos and broadcast-quality HD video of the ship’s activities on Sunday will be available for download and use by news media. Downloads can be accessed on the Mystic Seaport press page.

Links:

mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/connect/press/
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/stowaway
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/stories

Social Media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mysticseaport
Twitter: @mysticseaport

About the NEH

National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. www.neh.gov

About Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum is located one mile south of exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $24 for adults and $15 for children 6-17. Museum members and children under 5 are admitted for free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/

MYSTIC, Conn. (June 13, 2014) —  The Charles W. Morgan is now scheduled to depart for Newport, RI, from New London, CT, this Sunday, June 15. The ship will cast off at 6:30 a.m.

The ship was originally scheduled to leave on Saturday, June 14. The delay is due to conditions expected off of Point Judith, RI, on Saturday.

“The cold front that is passing through will most likely leave the sea state in the area quite agitated, more so than we feel is appropriate for the Morgan. By delaying a day, we give the waters time to calm down,” said Dana Hewson, the vice president for watercraft preservation and programs at Mystic Seaport.

The decision to postpone the sail was made in consultation with meteorologists at the National Weather Service.

In a change from previous plans, there is a possibility that the Morgan will pass through Watch Hill Passage between Watch Hill, RI and Fishers Island, NY, on her way to Block Island Sound, and not through The Race as previously announced. The decision of which passage to take will be made by the captain on Sunday morning.

For the latest updates and to track the Morgan‘s position live, please visit the 38th Voyage page on the Museum’s website.

About Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum is located one mile south of exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $24 for adults and $15 for children 6-17. Museum members and children under 5 are admitted for free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/

National Historic Landmark Vessel Completes Sea Trial

Mystic, Conn. (June 7, 2014) — The 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan sailed for the first time in almost a century  on Saturday, June 7, on the first day of sea trials for her 38th Voyage. The ship cast off from City Pier in New London at 9:30 a.m. and proceeded out onto Long Island Sound, where she spent the day conducting sail training drills and maneuvers. She returned to New London at 3:30 p.m.

“The ship exceeded all expectations and performed wonderfully. She is faster than we thought she would be, she turns easier, and she handles really well. We could not be more pleased,” said Capt. Kip Files, the 22nd master of the Morgan. “There is no one alive today who has sailed one of these whaleships who can tell us how they perform, so we really learned a lot today. We have a great voyage ahead of us.”

The National Historic Landmark vessel has been a static exhibit at Mystic Seaport since 1941 and has not sailed since the early 1920s. Her last whaling voyage, her 37th, ended in 1921. The sea trials are to prepare her to sail to historic ports in Southern New England on a 38th Voyage.

Sea trials will continue on June 8, 11, and 12.

The ship embarks on her voyage, with a scheduled transit to Newport, RI, on Saturday, June 14. Following that stop, the ship will then visit Vineyard Haven, Mass.; New Bedford, Mass.; and Boston, where she will dock next to the USS Constitution. She will also anchor off of Provincetown, Mass. for day sails to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, where the Morgan will team up with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to observe whales in their natural environment and call attention to mankind’s changing relationship with the natural world.

Downloadable Media

High resolution photos and broadcast-quality HD video of the ship’s journey will be available for download and use by news media on the Mystic Seaport press page.

Links

mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/connect/press/
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/stories
www.facebook.com/mysticseaport
http://www.youtube.com/user/MysticSeaportVideos
Twitter: @mysticseaport

About Mystic Seaport

Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum is located one mile south of exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. For more information, visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/.

Musicians from Around the Globe Gather to Celebrate Maritime Traditions

Mystic, Conn. (May 30, 2014) – Musicians from around the world will come to Mystic Seaport to celebrate the musical traditions of the Golden Age of Sail at the 35th annual Sea Music Festival, Thursday through Sunday, June 12-15. The Festival is the premier sea music event in North America.

This year’s roster includes music from Great Britain, The Netherlands, Portugal, Canada, and the Caribbean, along with singers from across the United States. The weekend’s festivities include daytime and evening concerts, special performances for children, instructional workshops, a scholar’s symposium, and a unique opportunity to witness sea music at work aboard the Museum’s historic vessels.

More than 20 individuals and groups will perform at the Festival. A highlight for 2014 will be the Barrouallie Whalers from the island of St. Vincent, who still sing the songs sung as islanders rowed whaleboats to hunt blackfish (pilot whales) 50 years ago. The Whalers are the last practitioners of a unique Eastern Caribbean musical tradition that accompanied their whaling activities.

All workshops and daytime concerts in the Festival are included in regular Mystic Seaport admission. Museum admission is good for two days upon ticket validation (visit must be made within one week of purchase date). Special tickets are required for evening concerts and can be purchased by calling 860.572.0711, or at the Museum’s main entrance. Weekend passes are also available. College students will be admitted into the Festival for the youth rate upon presentation of a current student ID.

For more information, including ticket packages, musicians’ bios, and a schedule of performances, visit mysticseaport.org/seamusicfestival

Returning this year is an evening sea music “contra dance,” a style of partnered folk dancing traditional to New England. The dance will be held Saturday evening from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Mystic German Club’s Frohsinn Hall, located directly across the street from the Museum’s main entrance on Route 27. There is an $8 admission fee for the dance.

In addition, the annual Music of the Sea Symposium, hosted in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the University of Connecticut at Avery Point, will be held on Friday and Saturday, June 13-14. The Symposium, which features presentations of themed papers by some of the country’s leading maritime music scholars, explores the interaction between sea, music, and song. The first day of the symposium will be hosted Friday, June 13, on the maritime campus of the University of Connecticut at Avery Point in Groton, Conn. Admission is free. The Symposium continues Saturday, June 14, at Mystic Seaport in the Greenmanville Church. Museum admission is required. For further details and a list of Symposium presenters and topics, visit mysticseaport.org/smfsymposium

This event is made possible by the Friends of the Sea Music Festival, who raise funds each year to generously support sea music at Mystic Seaport.

About Mystic Seaport

Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum is located one mile south of Exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $24 for adults and $15 for children ages 6-17. Museum members and children 5 and under are admitted free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/.

38th Voyage Traveling Exhibition to Debut with Historic Ship

MYSTIC, Conn. (May 21, 2014) — Mystic Seaport will open the traveling exhibition that will accompany the historic whaleship Charles W. Morgan on her 38th Voyage for the first time in New London, Conn., on Saturday, May 24. The public will be able to experience the exhibition and board the ship, which just completed a five-year restoration and was moved to New London last week.

The Morgan is berthed at City Pier near the New London town center as she completes her fitting out for the voyage.

Visitors can learn about the Morgan, whales, and whaling and their importance to American history in the 22,000 square-foot exhibition. There is a video on the history and significance of the 173-year-old vessel plus a series of panels that explain the role the American whaling industry had in this country’s history; how the Morgan and whaleships were an early connector of different cultures; and how America’s perception of the natural world has changed since the Morgan’s whaling career. Hands-on activities include knot-tying, handling samples of wood used in the restoration, and searching the Morgan’s crew lists for familiar names or hometown connections.

A focal point is Spouter, a 46-foot-long, life-sized inflatable model of a sperm whale. Visitors can participate in a “What Bubbles Up?” activity by writing down their whale-related memory, question, or sketch and attaching it to a humpback whale sculpture.

Mystic Seaport interpreters will demonstrate the 19th-century maritime skills of a cooper, shipsmith, ropemaker, and whaleboat rower. There will also be live performances including sea chanteys, the interactive “Tale of a Whaler,” and a condensed rendition of Moby-Dick – “Moby-Dick in Minutes.” Visitors will even have the opportunity to try their hand at rowing a whaleboat during select times.

Voyage partner, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, will have an exhibit booth to explain how the National Marine Sanctuaries interpret America’s maritime past, promote ocean conservation, and engage in cutting-edge research. They will show how whales feed and what they feed on, and present videos that feature information on the National Marine Sanctuary System, whales, whale research, and whaling heritage. Kids can even create their own whale hat. In July, the Morgan will sail to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary off Provincetown, Mass., as part of her voyage. Stellwagen Bank is a popular feeding ground for whales in the summer months.

The ship and dockside exhibition will be open on May 24, 25, 31, and June 1 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. There is a suggested admission of $5 per person for those ages 6 years and older. Children ages 5 years and younger are admitted for free, as are current Mystic Seaport members with their membership card

In addition to the Mystic Seaport exhibit, New London Landmarks, the Custom House Maritime Museum, the New London County Historical Society, and Flock Theatre have created a schedule of events to celebrate New London’s whaling heritage. Events include walking tours, exhibit and house tours, a parade, a “chowda fest,” and several Flock Theatre performances of the one-act play “Ile,” by Eugene O’Neill. For more information, please visit www.newlondonlandmarks.org/events.html

The Morgan will be in New London until June 14, when she departs for Newport, the next destination on a voyage across Southern New England that will include stops in Vineyard Haven, New Bedford, the Cape Cod Canal, Provincetown, and Boston.

The 38th Voyage dockside exhibition program has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Links:

mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage
mysticseaport.org/connect/press/
mysticseaport.org/stories
www.facebook.com/mysticseaport
www.youtube.com/user/MysticSeaportVideos
Twitter: @mysticseaport, @38thvoyage

About Mystic Seaport

Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, America’s oldest commercial ship and the last wooden whaleship in the world. The museum is located one mile south of Exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $24 for adults and $15 for children ages 6-17. Museum members and children 5 and under are admitted free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/.

Ship Leaves Mystic Seaport for the First Time Since 1941

MYSTIC, Conn. (May 17, 2014) — The Charles W. Morgan, a National Historic Landmark vessel and the last wooden whaleship in the world, departed Mystic Seaport to begin her 38th Voyage on Saturday, May 17. The ship was towed down the Mystic River and over to nearby New London, Conn., the first stop on what will be a nearly three month journey to historic ports in Southern New England.

The ship, which has not left Mystic Seaport since she arrived on November 8, 1941, led a procession of vessels down the Mystic River, including the Museum’s steamboat Sabino, its fishing vessel Roann, and five whaleboats rowed by Mystic Seaport staff and volunteers. The ship was cheered by crowds of onlookers as she made her way downriver en route to Fishers Island Sound, and several hundred people greeted her as she arrived at City Pier in New London.

“Today’s brief journey is the culmination of an incredible amount of work and effort by the Mystic Seaport community. This is a proud moment for the Museum and everyone who contributed to making this voyage a reality,” said Steve White, president of Mystic Seaport.

The day will began with a brief farewell ceremony in the Museum’s Henry B. DuPont Preservation Shipyard at 8:45 a.m., where the ship was formally entrusted to the care of her 22nd master, Capt. Kip Files, of Rockland, Maine.

The ship cast off her lines at 9:11 a.m. and arrived in New London ahead of schedule at 12:48 p.m.

“It was a smooth journey and we learned that the ship is fairly easy to tow,” Said Capt. Files. “Now we need to get her ready to go sailing.”

The crew will now get to work to complete preparations for the next phase of the voyage where she will actively sail for the first time since the 1920s. The ship will be ballasted (weighted down) to her correct sailing draft, the sails will be attached to the spars, and the crew will conduct four days of sail training scheduled for June 7-8 and June 11-12.

The ship will be open to the public in New London with an extensive dockside exhibit on May 24-25, May 31, and June 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The ship departs on the next leg of the 38th Voyage with a transit to Newport, RI, on June 14. Following that stop, the ship will then visit Vineyard Haven, Mass.; New Bedford, Mass.; and Boston, where she will dock next to the USS Constitution. She will also anchor off of Provincetown, Mass. for day sails to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, where the Morgan will team up with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to observe whales in their natural environment and call attention to mankind’s changing relationship with the natural world.

Downloadable Media

High-resolution photos and broadcast-quality HD video of the ship’s journey will be available for download and use by news media after 4 p.m. on May 17. Downloads can be accessed on the Mystic Seaport press page.

About Mystic Seaport

Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum is located one mile south of exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $24 for adults and $15 for children 6-17. Museum members and children under 5 are admitted for free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/

National Historic Landmark Vessel Heads to New London, Conn to Prepare for 38th Voyage

MYSTIC, Conn. (May 14, 2014) — The Charles W. Morgan, a National Historic Landmark vessel and the last wooden whaleship in the world, will depart Mystic Seaport to begin her 38th Voyage on Saturday, May 17 at 9:15 a.m.  The ship will travel to New London, the first stop on what will be a nearly three-month journey to historic ports in New England.

The ship, which has not left Mystic Seaport since she arrived on November 8, 1941, will be pushed down the Mystic River by a tugboat, and then towed across Fishers Island Sound and up the Thames River to New London, where she will berth at City Pier. She will lead a procession of vessels down the Mystic River, including the Museum’s steamboat Sabino, its fishing vessel Roann, and five whaleboats rowed by Mystic Seaport staff and volunteers.

“This is a big moment for Mystic Seaport and for the State of Connecticut, as we take this American icon, the oldest surviving commercial ship in the country, back to sea once again to carry out a new mission of education and celebration of our nation’s shared maritime heritage,” said Steve White, president of Mystic Seaport.

The day will begin with a brief farewell ceremony in the Museum’s Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard at 8:45 a.m. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT 2nd) and other dignitaries will offer remarks, and the ship will be formally entrusted to the care of her 22nd master, Capt. Kip Files, of Rockland, Maine.

“This is the most significant maritime event in my lifetime and I am humbled and honored to be given the responsibility of taking the Charles W. Morgan back to sea on her 38th Voyage,” said Files. ”We are all looking forward to that moment when we set her sails and let the wind push us to our destination, something not seen since the 1920s.”

The trip on Saturday is contingent on favorable weather conditions, as the ship and the tug need to safely navigate down the Mystic River and across the Sound. High wind and waves, among other factors, could require a postponement to Sunday. The decision to go or not go will be posted on the Museum’s website.

People interested in viewing the ship’s journey by boat are asked to leave plenty of room for the Morgan and the tug to maneuver in the confines of the Mystic River channel. Boaters are asked to stay back a minimum of 50 yards behind and on each side and 100 yards in front of the ship. Boaters are also asked to wait south of the railroad bridge to give the ship maximum clearance in the most constricted part of the river. A boater’s guide is available on the Museum’s website.

Once in New London, the ship and crew will work to complete preparations for the voyage. The ship will be ballasted (weighted down) to her correct sailing draft, the sails will be attached to the spars, and the crew will conduct four days of sail training scheduled for June 7-8 and June 11-12. The ship will be open to the public with an extensive dockside exhibit on May 24-25, May 31, and June 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The ship departs on the next leg of the 38th Voyage with a transit to Newport, RI on June 14. Following that stop, the ship will then visit Vineyard Haven, Mass.; New Bedford, Mass.; and Boston, where she will dock next to the USS Constitution. She will also anchor off of Provincetown, Mass. for day sails to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, where the Morgan will team up with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to observe whales in their natural environment and call attention to mankind’s changing relationship with the natural world.

Links:
mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/connect/press/
https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/stories
www.facebook.com/mysticseaport
http://www.youtube.com/user/MysticSeaportVideos
Twitter: @mysticseaport, @38thvoyage

Downloadable Media:
High resolution photos and broadcast-quality HD video of the ship’s journey will be available for download and use by news media starting at 3 p.m. on May 17. Downloads can be accessed on the Mystic Seaport press page.

About Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum is located one mile south of exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT. Admission is $24 for adults and $15 for children 6-17. Museum members and children under 5 are admitted for free. For more information, please visit https://mysticseaport.wpengine.com/