Mystic, Conn. (June 21, 2013) — After nearly five years out of the water, the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan will take the first step on her journey back to the Mystic River on Monday, June 24 at Mystic Seaport.
Shipwrights will be moving the 300-ton ship onto a ship lift over the water in preparation for her launch. The vessel needs to be moved sideways to align with the lift and then rolled out onto the lift itself. The total distance will be a couple of hundred feet. The process will begin on Monday and is expected to be complete by Wednesday evening.
The Morgan is scheduled to be launched at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 21 in a public ceremony.
The ship has been undergoing a comprehensive restoration at the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard at the Museum since November 2008. A National Historic Landmark and the country’s oldest commercial ship, the Morgan will embark on a ceremonial 38th Voyage in late spring 2014 to historic ports in New England, including New London, Newport, Vineyard Haven, New Bedford, Provincetown, and Boston. She will also venture onto the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary near the mouth of Massachusetts Bay.
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.
