Mystic in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
The Hays and Ros Clark Shiplift
Why does Mystic Seaport Museum need a Shiplift?
Vessels such as the Charles W. Morgan need to be taken out of the water for regular repair, maintenance, and restoration. With this Shiplift, Mystic Seaport Museum can perform work on even its largest vessels. This helps preserve shipbuilding skills as well as well as the vessels themselves, while maintaining their historic integrity.
Shiplift Statistics
Dimensions: 120 feet long by 38 feet wide
Capacity: 460 long tons, including cradles
Year Dedicated: 2007
This project funded in part by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and many generous Museum friends, especially Hays and Ros Clark.
The Shiplift consists of two main parts:
1. Vertical marine elevator to haul vessels from the water.
2. Horizontal track system to move the lifted vessel ashore.
How does it work?
Eight synchronized electric winches, housed in "pods," stand on the finger piers on either side of the dock. the center platform lowers to the river bottom, the vessel floats between the two dock piers, and the platform raises the vessel out of the water. The vessel
this page online
A sophisticated computer system controls the lift, monitors and distributes loads, and protects the vessel from damage. Once the vessel is raised in its cradled, towing vehicles can move it forward on the track. The wheels on the cradle can then be turned so that ship and all can move sideways. This gives us space to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
The concrete platform under the rails collects all waste generated during work. It complies with environmental regulations and protects the Mystic River's water quality and marine habitat.
Erected by Mystic Seaport Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 2007.
Location. 41° 21.536′ N, 71° 57.929′ W. Marker is in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is in Mystic. It can be reached from Greenmanville Avenue (Connecticut Route 27) north of Isham Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9 Isham Street, Mystic CT 06355, United States of America.
Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline, in Greater New London, in Mystic and the Eastern Shore, and in the Thames River Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New London County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Eastern-rig dragger Roann (within shouting distance of this marker); Hays & Ros Clark Shiplift (within shouting distance of this marker); Susan Constant (within shouting distance of this marker); Sandbagger Annie (within shouting distance of this marker); Sawmill (within shouting distance of this marker); Shipsaw (within shouting distance of this marker); Wolverine Semi-Diesel Engine (within shouting distance of this marker); Atlas (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stonington.
Other markers no longer nearby. Whaleship Charles W. Morgan (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Lathrop D-90 Diesel Engine (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Wichmann Semi-Diesel Engine (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 29, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
