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Charles W. Morgan Undergoes Sea Trials

The world's last wooden whaling ship has taken to the water under her own power for the first time in almost 100 years.

The Charles W. Morgan is docked in New London, preparing for her 38th voyage.

She underwent sea trials under full sail both Saturday and Sunday. She was towed from her berth at New London's City Pier out into Long Island Sound. Once there, she spent time conducting sail training drills and maneuvers.

“The ship exceeded all expectations and performed wonderfully,” said Capt. Kip Files, the 22nd master of the Morgan. “She is faster than we thought she would be. She turns easier, and she handles really well. We could not be more pleased. There is no one alive today who has sailed one of these whaleships who can tell us how they perform, so we really learned a lot today. We have a great voyage ahead of us.”

The Morgan has been on display at Mystic Seaport since the 1940s. She last sailed a commercial voyage in the 1920s. She's currently being prepared to take to the ocean to visit several New England ports, including New Bedford -- where she was built -- and Martha's Vineyard, the home of several of her previous captains.

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Harriet Jones is Managing Editor for Connecticut Public Radio, overseeing the coverage of daily stories from our busy newsroom.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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