Charles W. Morgan (1841)
One of the highlights of a visit to the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut is the National Historic Landmark wooden whaling vessel, Charles W. Morgan. Although she is currently rigged as a barque, she was originally full-rigged. She is tied up at Chubb’s Wharf, which is part of the museum’s waterfront property.1“CHARLES W. MORGAN,” Mystic Seaport Museum, accessed 20 May 2026, at https://mysticseaport.org/explore/morgan/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22712346647&gbraid=0AAAAACttEkJbjdNLea7HbyBcuyDYd27jK&gclid=CjwKCAjwt7XQBhBkEiwAtStpp0abI0tFjUfTpAY-WrGinRGPOc0Vi66j7eK8ygrijQoVeJHLGNWulBoC-jgQAvD_BwE
The ship was built in New Bedford, Massachusetts and was named after her owner Charles Waln Morgan (1796–1861). Mr. Morgan owned a whaling firm which operated a fleet of whaleships. He was also a banker and was involved in a variety of other business interests over the course of his life.
Charles W. Morgan at Chubb’s Wharf. 21 April 2026.
Here are a few photos taken in various areas on board the ship.
Sleeping cabin, which is part of the master’s quarters located at the aft part of the tween deck. 21 April 2026.
The tween deck dining area for the ship’s master and mates features a table and benches secured to the deck. At left (port side) are the cabins of the chief mate and the second and third mates (two berths). The area at right (starboard side) is a pantry. A section of the mizzen mast passes through this area. 21 April 2026.
Skylight above the mess table. April 2026.
View of the blubber room (tween deck), facing aft. In this area, large strips of blubber from whales were cut into smaller pieces prior to being processed to extract oil. 21 April 2026.
Here are some of the crew berths in the fo’c’sle, which is located at the forward part of the tween deck. Deck prisms provide some natural light. 21 April 2026.
View looking aft along the starboard side of the ship. The red brick structure just behind the hatch is the tryworks. This is basically a large oven where blubber was melted down in large cast-iron trypots. 21 April 2026.
Charles W. Morgan. 24 April 2026.
Charles W. Morgan completed 37 voyages during her career as a whaling vessel. Some Hawai‘i-related news took place during one of those voyages.
According to newspaper accounts of the day, Charles W. Morgan sailed from San Francisco, California on 2 December 1895. She arrived and anchored off Honolulu Harbor around noon on 7 January 1896.
While on shore, the ship’s master, Captain James A.M. Earle, married Miss Honor E. Matthews!
From the 10 January 1896 issue of The Hawaiian Star:
From the 11 January 1896 issue of The Hawaiian Star:
More information about the Earles can be found here: Meet the Earles: A Charles W. Morgan Family Portrait
Transcripts:
WEDDING TONIGHT.
Captain Earles [sic] and Miss Matthews to Be Man and Wife.
Capt. Earles [sic] of the whaling bark Charles W. Morgan will be married to Miss H. E. Matthews of New Zealand at the residence of E. O. White, Makiki, at 7 o’clock this evening. Rev. D. P. Birnie will officiate.
The groom arrived a few days ago. His vessel has gone off on a cruise in charge of the mate, and will return about next Friday. Miss Matthews came up from New Zealand by the Mariposa to meet Capt. Earle here. She will accompany her husband on the Winter’s cruise in the North Pacific.
Married Friday Evening.
The marriage of Captain Earle and Miss Matthews at the residence of E. O. White Friday evening was witnessed by a number of friends of the couple. The ceremony was followed by refreshments and social amusements. Captain and Mrs. Earle will stop at the Arlington until the whaling bark Morgan is ready to sail, which will be in about a week.
One of your most thorough photo posts. Interesting. Thank you!