RELAUNCHING TODAY LIVE BEGINNING AT 1:45 PM EDT
After 5 years and almost 7 million in restoration cost, the Nation Treasure, Charles W. Morgan, will be re-christened on the 172nd anniversary of the day the vessel was launched in New Bedford, Mass. Shipwrights, riggers and other craftsmen will then be busy preparing the “Morgan” for her her 38th Voyage to historic ports in New England in 2014.
Since the work began in November 2008, all work was completed using historically appropriate materials and techniques, in accordance with guidelines set forth in the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Vessel Preservation Projects. Which includes the documentation of work with photographs, laser scanning and X-rays. The restoration focused on the deformed (hogged) sheer line, lower bottom framing, interior ceiling and partial keelson and stem replacement.
A monumental restoration that wouldn’t have been possible without the help from the countless dedicated volunteers, support of the community, both local and nationwide, and from the highly skilled shipwrights and riggers that have come from around the country to work on the restoration.