Charles W. Morgan Restoration Reaches Milestone

“Shutter Plank” Completes Latest Phase of the Project

Mystic, Conn. – Mystic Seaport shipwrights installed the final plank in the hold of the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan on Friday, October 28. The so-called “shutter plank” completes the bulk of the work in the hold, and the focus of the restoration now moves to the exterior of the hull.

The final plank is called a “shutter plank” because it “shuts” the last opening on the inside of the hull.

Museum shipwrights and staff members gathered on board the ship to celebrate and record the occasion.

“This is a significant moment in our venture to restore the Morgan and preserve an iconic part of America’s maritime heritage. Many people have worked hard to get us to this point and achieving milestones like this put us that much closer to our goal of returning her to sea in 2014. It is a proud moment for our shipwrights,” said Stephen C. White, president of Mystic Seaport.

The next phase of the project will address the exterior planking of the hull, much of which dates from her initial construction.

The multi-year restoration, which began in 2008, is on schedule. Mystic Seaport plans to re-launch the Morgan in the summer of 2013 and take her on a ceremonial voyage to historic ports on the Eastern Seaboard in 2014.

The achievement arrives just as the Museum and the town of Mystic are kicking off a weeklong celebration to mark the 70th anniversary of the vessel’s arrival in 1941. The celebration includes concerts, performances, and other events downtown and culminates with a day of free admission to Mystic Seaport with special Morgan-related programming on Saturday, November 5.

The Morgan was built and launched in New Bedford, Mass. She is the last surviving whaling vessel of a fleet that numbered more than 2,700. The Morgan is the oldest American merchant vessel still afloat and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966.

The Morgan remains open to public during the restoration.

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 oldest American merchant vessel still afloat. For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org.