free up time for the regular staffers to work on larger, more involved tasks. The night before my fin al day with the shipyard crew, I walked over to the Mo rgan to check over my week's work. It was aro und sunset, all the yard workers had left for the day, and the Morgan was bathed in a warm setting sunlight that gave her a regal appearance. At that moment, I could not help but become a bit nostalgic as I began to envision how many miles this ship had sailed, how many lives she supported, how many adventures she experi enced. I could not help but adm ire how great and important the Morgan is ro all of us. When the day ended on Friday, I found myself departing with a truly ambivalent feeling. The week had been filled with hard work, but rewarding wo rk. As I look back, it was a very memorabl e experience. I left feeling fulfilled and hoped that my modest co ntribution wou ld somehow, nonetheless, co ntribute towards the preservation of an impo rtant piece of our history. I also met some fascinating people, so me who ca me from aro und the world;
The author looks over the original planks and frames of the 172-year-old whaling ship, Charles W Morgan. Despite the Morgan's age, much of the original planking is still sound. learned a lot about wooden ship co nstruction and m aterials; and gained som e new talents.
* Ril!ht out ol "MORY DICK" * New Bedford boat builders were responsible fo r developing a nearly pe1fect design for a light, seaworthy, capacious boa t to be used for the dangerous business of whaling. Melville's "Moby Dick" provides us one of the best descriptions of these famous vessels. This kit utilizes many laser cut wood paits. 111e resulting model is one of the most delicate, historically accurate representations of a whale boat. www.bluejacketinc.com
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Sea History!
And if yo u are in need of some custommade shims, yo u know where to find me.
Call for Volunteers Mystic Seaport welcomes volunteers in just about every capacity. You don't have to be a woodwo rker or engineer to contribute; all skills and talents are welcomed. Those wishing to volunteer should contact Rhoda H o pkins (e mail rhoda.hopkins@mysticseaport.org; Ph. 860 572-5378) for help in matching talents with tasks. Of note: many peop le don't real ize that fair and reasonable expense that yo u incur for dedicated participation supporting a recognized not-for-profit organization can be considered deductible as a charitable donatio n. Costs such as hotel, meals, gas, and to lls may qualify as deductible from perso nal taxes if it meets the IRS guidelines. If yo u don't live near Mystic, it is likely yo ur local maritime museum could use yo ur help. It is a great way to contribute and have a lot of fun at the same time. j:,
Jim Nordmann is a native of the New Yo rk City area and currently works as a manager of engineering in the auto industry. Jim is a part-time free-lance writer and photographer covering local, community, andsportingevents. He is very active in volunteering, and, as a result, it is not uncommon for him to donate his talents as photographer and writer-or shim-maker-for many not-for-profit causes.
SEA HISTORY 143 , SUMMER 2013