Bill Jacobik: Voyage Journal
Transcript
Date July 8, 2014 Page Kept by: Bill Jacobik
As a volunteer, helping with the restoration of the Morgan, I got to watch the slow transformation from a tired, worn, and withering hulk to a solid and seaworthy vessel again. Even after many hours, days weeks, months, and years of hard labor she was still just a ship. It was when we started loading on bedding and supplies, and people were once again living within the confines of her structure, that she started to take on a life of her own. She had her soul back again.
Perhaps the highest point of her venture was to be out among the whales again after too many years away from the sea.
The most important stop on her voyage was New Bedford where she came to be, many generations and a century ago. It was a treat to serve as a monitor and to be among the people of New Bedford. Many of them have ancestry that is tied deep in the Charles W. Morgan’s History. It seemed that everyone wearing Mystic Seaport clothing was treated with dignity and respect. ‘Thank you so much for all that you have done fro the Morgan” and Take good care of our Baby” wee just some of the comments that I heard from New Bedford residents as the endless flow of people passed by my monitoring station.
I was on board very early on the morning of July the 8th when Charles W. Morgan cast-off from New Bedford’s pier. There were just a few New Bedford people that came to the dockside at that early hour to thank us again, and wish us well. It was when the Morgan was approaching the hurricane gates that I noticed the large number of human figures in the early morning sun, lining the eastern side of the barrier and along the horizon all the way to Fort Phoenix. I was surprised to see so many that were willing to come out at such an early hour to watch the Morgan as she slowly passed through the gates. They seemed to stand solemn and silent as they watched her leave New Bedford harbor, perhaps for the last time ever. An emotional time for sure.
There are very few museums that can take an artifact that is filled with history and go out from their safe confines, and add more history to it. The 38th voyage has added another chapter to the rich and deep history of the Charles W. Morgan.
This voyage has re-introduced the Morgan and Mystic Seaport to New England and the rest of the World.
It takes an effort to create good memories. The effort put forth by so many for so long, has made the 38th Voyage by the Charles W. Morgan the best memory for many years to come.