SATURDAY IN MYSTIC

Today we toured the "The Charles W. Morgan" - the last of an American whaling fleet that once numbered more than 2,700 vessels. Built 1841, the Morgan is America’s oldest commercial ship still afloat.

Shot this as we were walking up the ramp.  Click to enlarge.

The restoration of the ship Charles W. Morgan used material from around the nation, including hurricane felled live oak from Louisiana and old wrought iron tiger cage bars from the Memphis zoo.  

The ship harvested the blubber of whales for whale oil, which was commonly used in lamps. Her crews (ages 13-56) spent 2-3 years at a time out at sea, harpooning whales. We heard fascinating stories of people on this ship, like: 

"In 1896, the captain's wife was "one woman among 42 men on the ship," and carrying her first child, conceived on the very long voyage that ended in San Francisco that year."   

Rigging was one of the most important tools on the ship, because of multiple uses, including holding sailors in a “monkey belt” so they could hang over the side of the ship while they stripped the whale of its blubber. 

Rigging was everywhere, both upper and lower decks

Monkey Belt 

After a fulfilling day in Mystic and a pleasant trip home, our daughter Tammy had a terrific meal waiting for us, complete with heart shaped brownies. Anniversaries are great! Kids are great! Coming home is great! Life is good!

Amazing way to top off our Anniversary Celebration