PHOTOGRAMMETRY OF THE WATERCRAFT COLLECTION

Deep in the confines of the Collections Research Center is a team working on a monumental project: documenting the Museum’s watercraft collection through photogrammetry.

What exactly is photogrammetry? In short, photogrammetry is the science of extracting reliable information about three-dimensional objects from photographs. The process involves taking hundreds of overlapping photographs of an object and converting them into 3-D digital models.

According to Robert Andrle, a Museum volunteer and member of the team working on this project, the primary goal is to use 3-D photogrammetry to accurately and fully document the Museum’s extensive watercraft collection in a way that is much more immersive and informative than traditional photography. As an example, the large amount of data collected by photogrammetric methods, reflected both in the numerous photographs and in the resultant 3-D model, greatly exceeds that collected through the use of traditional methods of measuring hull shape. This detailed recording will ultimately allow any builder to create a historically accurate replica and provide researchers around the world access to valuable data to study all aspects of the watercraft in the collection.

There are many ways by which the data from photogrammetry can be used, including the development of traditional boat plans (sections, waterlines, etc.) by importing a 3-D model into a CAD program and fairing the lines; cutting boat parts directly from the digital data by CNC machines; analyzing and comparing hull performance across historic vessels; even printing 3-D scale models for the Museum Store!

The photogrammetry efforts are consistent with the Museum’s overall efforts to expand access to our collections to educators, researchers, enthusiasts, and the greater, connected world. As Andrle sees it, artifacts ultimately deteriorate over time so it is imperative we capture, preserve, and share as much data as possible. In this case, the full, three-dimensional details of every last boat in the cherished collection at Mystic Seaport Museum.

Kevin O’Leary, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing

Cuffe Fellowship

Born in 1759 to an African father and Wampanoag mother, Paul Cuffe became a sea captain, shipowner, landowner, and respected community leader. In his honor, since 1989, the Mystic Seaport Museum Paul Cuffe Memorial Fellowship has provided funds to researchers from universities, colleges, and museums. The fellowships are offered to encourage research that highlights Black and Indigenous participation in the nation’s maritime activities. Fellowships support research and writing, a portion of which are carried out in the Mystic area. While there is a rolling application process, summer 2023 Paul Cuffe Memorial Fellows have the option of performing their research in addition to a Munson Institute Fellowship and build their research and writing into the Munson Institute residency. Or, Cuffe Fellowship awardees may do a stand-alone Cuffe Memorial Fellowship which supports their research and writing project. Cuffe Memorial Fellowship awards of up to $2,400 are made possible through the generosity of the AndersonPaffard Foundation.