The original ship, built in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1841, and preserved at Mystic Seaport, Connecticut, is the last existing whaler. The whaling industry was a very important part of the life in the 1800s.  Processed whales produced lamp oil, baleen for all sorts of decorative things such as walking sticks and snuff boxes as well as corset stays, whalebone for objects such as scrimshaw and ambergris, a waxy substance used as a base for perfumes. The bones were used for corset stays, the teeth for carving, and the skin was used as fuel aboard the ship and for rendering out the oil from the carcass.  The Chumash used whale bones for making doorways in their home and for pry bars
The Charles W. Morgan is the last of an American whaling fleet that numbered more than 2,700 vessels. Built and launched in 1841, the Morgan is now America’s oldest commercial ship still afloat – only the USS Constitution is older.

In November, 2008 the Morgan returned to the Mystic Seaport Museum’s shipyard for restoration. The project has renewed areas of the vessel from the waterline down to her keel and also addressed the bow and stern. The whaleship was re-launched on July 21, 2013 and will embark on her 38th Voyage to historic ports of New England in the summer of 2014, engaging communities with their maritime heritage and raising awareness about the changing perception about whales. Where once the Morgan’s cargo was whale oil and baleen, today her cargo is knowledge.

When the vessel returns to Mystic Seaport in August 2014, she will resume her role as an exhibit and flagship of the Museum.

The Model

5/32” scale          26” long by 24” high
Built by Ed Marple, circa 1968.  Solid pine hull, painted.  The last solid hull Marple built.   Handmade iron work added:  Yard arm bands, jack stays, whaling tools (cutting-out spades, harpoons, etc.) yard arm parrals, tripod tools (grinding wheels).
Handmade wood work added:  Oars, anvils, parrals, grinding wheels, trying-out tools and barrels
This is a basic Marine Model Kit with considerable added research and handwork.