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Spectators came by land and by sea. On the Mystic River, it was paddling room only. Instead, I'll share a few thoughts from some of the speakers, who spoke so well about all aspects of the Morgan's history as both a whaling ship and as a museum ship and why we should care. The speakers all brought important points to bear, including the fact that the Morgan's history is as a whaling ship, and while we rightfully celebrate her role, nor just in maritime history bur in our nation's history, we also acknowledge her role in the clash berween natural history and human history. In his remarks, Connecticut stare senator Andrew Maynard explained how, growing up in Connecticut, rhe "Charles W Morgan was our rime machine, where our imaginations had us sailing around the Horn, the spray in o ur faces, and the sea and wi nd raking us to distant places just over rhe horizon." Our whaling heritage has much to celebrate, from the international crews who lived and worked side-by-side, to the wealth it brought to the region, which helped finance the growth of cities and transportation nerworks, to the rich cultural heritage attached to this lifestyle and industry. Bur whaling was also a destructive fishery, one that decimated the world's whale populations-for some species, nearly to the point of extinction. One of rhe speakers, US Senator Richard Blumenthal, addressed this topic and, in
doing so, pointed our that we have a newer thriving business attached to whaleswhale watching-and rhar it is no small industry on borh the east and west coasts of rhe United Stares. With rhe return of rhe Morgan to sea, we will, in a way, come full circle as a civilization with how we think abo ut these magnificent animals. In addition LO returning to New Bedford for a visit to her original home port, the Morgan will be sailed to Srellwagen Bank in Cape Cod Bay, where whales gather by the hundreds in the summer months to feed. There, the whaling ship and crew will pay homage to the whales rhar were
the reason for the Morgan's creation in the first place. Sen. Blumenthal also announced the recent passage of a US Senate Resolution (S. Res. 183) commemorating the Morgan's launch and bestowing upon her rhe ride ''Ambassador to the Whales." Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy was on hand as well to share the news that the State of Conn ecticut has committed to making a $500,000 contribution to the Morgan's restoration. The Morgan today is open to visitors at Mystic Seaport, while her crew works on rerigging m asts and spars and finishes the interior work on the hull. Sailmaker Nathaniel S. Wilson (winner of rhe NMHS Distinguished Service Award in 2010) is making all nineteen sails for the Morgan, plus smal ler sails for her whaleboats. There is still much to be done. There are great opportunities to get involved and participate in one of the maritime heritage community's most important success stories. To Mystic Seaport's staff, volunteers, members, supporters, administration, and trustees: Bravo Zulu-well done. And, thanks for a great day. .t You can watch a video of the launch and read the text .from Ric Burns's speech online at museum's website: www.mysticseaport.org; 75 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic, CT 06355.
Mystic Seaport's shipyard manager, Quentin Snediker (left), and president, Steve White (center), joyfully pose for a photo with NMHS Chairman Ron Oswald once the Morgan was afloat.
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SEA HISTORY 144, AUTUMN 20 13