Charles W. Morgan May Sail Again

[Richard Smith]

On Tuesday, the Mystic Seaport announced it is studying the feasibility of restoring the world's last wooden whaling ship to withstand the rigors of a ceremonial journey to ports such as New London, Newport, R.I., and its original homeport of New Bedford, Mass., in the summer of 2012. Source and more at: http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=ee67e4cd-e502-4481-9afa-9e10a5268e35

[Soundbounder]

If there is enough water to get it out of the Mystic River

;)

[rbgarr]

It's a very, very exciting prospect. It would really be something to see her sail again and it would further cement the national credibility of the Seaport.

[TimH]

I would like to see Cutty Sark under sail again.

[nedL]

So they think they can "shoe horn" her through the town bridge safely a couple of more times??
It would be fantastic to see her under sail again, - though I'm not quite sure if appropriate.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8df10b3127ccec36b4d2d00da00000010O02Bbs3DVuzZA9 vPhI/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Noah]

I spent a week as a kid on the Morgan (summer sailing camp) at Mystic. Great memories, and would be very cool to see her sail again.

[BETTY-B]

I didnt realize it didnt sail anymore. I guess I just assumed that things were so well taken care of out there that it must. I hope it happens.

DAN

[nedL]

When Morgan arrived at the Seaport in 1940, she was immediately set in a berth of sand and stayed there until about 1974. In the early 70's, while 'lightened' for some restoration work she began to float in her sand berth during high tides (had to flood her bilges to keep her down as I remember). Given the realization that she would float, the decision was made to remove her from her sand berth and maintain her as a floating exhibit. Since her refloating in '74 her only movement has been occasional to & from the special built lift dock for maintenance, and a semi-annual 180° turn for even weathering. - Even if she is restored to sailing capability, as I mentioned above, I believe she is a REAL tight shoe-horn fit through the town bridge about a 1/2 mile down river.

[rbgarr]

It will be interesting to see what display they have next to her empty berth when she's out sailing! Maybe it could include a blog of where she is and the conditions she's sailing in.

Wouldn't whalers' wives loved having something like that! :D

[Tom Galyen]

Ish,

I think the "Tall Ships" programs show you are wrong on your last statement. I think they would be able pick and choose to get the best.

Sail her if possible, they did it with the U.S.S. Constitution and she's older then the Morgan. Anti-Whaler groups may object.

[Paul Pless]

I'll be the dissenting voice. We are already seeing that some of Mystic Seaport's other exhibits and programs are being cut for lack of money. I tried to book Araminta for a daysail during the boatshow and she was unavailable and in fact had been hauled because she was uninsured. Have you noticed that other notable boats are not in the water or have been lacking maintenance?? The sandbagger Annie hasn't had her spars in for a couple of years now... hell, seeing that steeved bowsprit is half the freaking boat.

So now they're doing this restoration which surely must be a draw from other resources of which they've only raised half the money to do it, and if she is to sail they will need an additional $2,000,000.00. So I say this ain't the right time to do it. Not that I wouldn't like to see this get done, I just don't want to see it at the expense of the other exhibits and programs that this very important museum offers.

[Woxbox]

Getting her sailing is the best possible thing they could do. First, it ensures the boat is kept in top-notch condition. Second, if handled properly it would bring huge public attention to the museum and its programs.

And as to crew -- no problem. There's a pretty large community of square-rigger sailors out there. And most of them will work for nothing. (Myself included.) We've had the Kalmar Nyckel in and out of the seaport at least once, and I think twice. The boats are close to the same size. You just gotta wait for the tide to come in.