The History of the Charles W. Morgan

The History of the Charles W. Morgan. Charles W. Morgan. , Built and launched in New Bedford in 1841, the Charles W. Morgan is the last of an American whaling fleet that numbered more than 2,700 vessels over 150 years. During an 80-year whaling career, the Morgan embarked on 37 voyages. Built for cargo capacity, not speed, she roamed every corner of the globe in her pursuit of whales. Upon spying a whale, the crew lowered the boats and set out to harpoon their prey. If successful, the men towed the whale back to the ship and processed it for its oil and baleen, a flexible material used in a variety of products. The search was time-consuming and laborious; days and weeks of boredom were followed by moments of terror., Known as a "lucky ship," the Morgan successfully navigated crushing Northern ice, hostile South Sea natives, and countless storms. Yet throughout her career she returned a healthy profit for her owners. that luck continued in her retirement from whaling in 1921. After a brief movie career, she was acquired by Col. Edward Green, a wealthy investor who put her on display at his waterfront estate near New Bedford. Upon his death, she was derelict for some time, but survived the hurricane of 1938 and eventually was brought to Mystic Seaport. Now a National Historic Landmark, more than 20 million people have walked her decks since her arrival in Mystic., [Captions:] , Capt. Earle with his wife Honor and son Jamie posed on board in 1903 (above). Five of the Morgan captains brought their wives and children with them on the lengthy voyages. Jamie stands on deck in his light summer suit (at left), while to whalemen mince whale blubber for rendering into oil in the smoky cauldrons., The whaleship was named after its principal owner, Charles Waln Morgan (left, shown later in life). The original registeration paper, signed September 4, 1841, gives the vessel's measurements and lists Morgan's name along with the other owners. The Charles W. Morgan left on her first voyage two days later., Whaling was a risky business. Disease, drowning, and bodily mutilation were common risks for men on whaleships like the Charles W. Morgan. Dramatic prints, such as this one by Cornelius B. Hulsart, depicted the battle between whales and humans., After her whaling career ended, the Morgan found a new home at Round Hill, the summer estate of Col. Edward Green in South Dartmouth, MA. Retired whalers guided 1920s visitors onboard and told of their adventures at sea., In November, 1941, the 100-year-old Charles W. Morgan was towed through the Mystic Bridge to her new home at Mystic Seaport., By the 1960s, the Morgan was helping draw half a millions visitors a year to Mystic Seaport. The ship itself had become an American icon, appearing on everything from fine art paintings and family photos to coffee cups and kitchen curtains, as well as this 1961 New England roadmap cover by artist Howard Terpning.