Though she hasn’t gotten the press the Charles W. Morgan has earned, the fishing vessel Roann can claim as deep a Vineyard pedigree. She was built in 1947 for Roy. M. Campbell of Vineyard Haven. Now she is escort to the Morgan.

For me, the ship came to life when she made what I will always remember as The Turn. We were at the far end of Vineyard Sound early Tuesday afternoon, sailing to the east.

What follows are excerpts from the Gazette’s live blog of the Morgan’s historic voyage from Newport, Rhode Island, to Vineyard Haven on Wednesday, June 18.

This article first appeared in the May/June issue of Martha's Vineyard Magazine.

The Charles W. Morgan arrived at Vineyard Haven harbor to a barrage of cannonfire and boat horns while onlookers gathered to witness her arrival, some in tears. The Morgan is the last wooden whaling ship in the world.

In the log book of the first voyage of the Morgan, 26-year-old second mate James Coffin Osborn of Edgartown relates the joys and agonie of whaling.