On Board the Charles W. Morgan, from Newport to Vineyard Haven
An hour before departure from Newport. Wind from the southwest cleared the sky.
An hour before departure from Newport. Wind from the southwest cleared the sky.
Tug Sirius tows ship out into Rhode Island Sound and east to Vineyard Sound.
Tug Sirius tows ship out into Rhode Island Sound and east to Vineyard Sound.
Time to raise sail.
Time to raise sail.
Chris Koldewey, on forward watch, spots Gay Head and alerts the captain.
Chris Koldewey, on forward watch, spots Gay Head and alerts the captain.
Crew raises more sail.
Crew raises more sail.
Jen Dexter, helmsman, steers the ship up Vineyard Sound
Jen Dexter, helmsman, steers the ship up Vineyard Sound
Whaleboat built by Gannon and Benjamin on a journey back to where she was built.
Whaleboat built by Gannon and Benjamin on a journey back to where she was built.
View over the bow as ship slows in Vineyard sound
View over the bow as ship slows in Vineyard sound
Ninetenth century ship is followed by a flotilla
Ninetenth century ship is followed by a flotilla
Staff and friends of Martha's Vineyard Shipyard greet passing ship..
Staff and friends of Martha's Vineyard Shipyard greet passing ship..
Visiting Roann on the left, Charles W. Morgan on the right. Topsail schooner Shenandoah at center.
Visiting Roann on the left, Charles W. Morgan on the right. Topsail schooner Shenandoah at center.
The trip from Newport to Vineyard Haven aboard the last wooden whaleship began with fog and a building southwest wind. The tugboat Sirius out of Vineyard Haven towed the whaleship into Rhode Island Sound.
Accompanying the historic bark was the old Mystic Seaport fishing boat Roann. The ship dropped the tugboat towline as it entered Vineyard Sound, and once off Tarpaulin Cove, the number of boats following the ship grew. By late afternoon the ship passed West Chop and headed in between the chops, bound for the Tisbury Wharf.
The docks in the harbor filled with cheering onlookers. And history was both honored and made.