Martin Jelsema took a vintage kit and modified it to better represent the real ship which resides at Mystic Seaport, CN. It’s a solid hull model from the early 1970’s. Other materials include balsa and basswood, fine wire, thread and metal fittings. Rigging was derived from photos and published materials about whaling ship construction, rigging and operation. Martin spent 9-months on this project of which 2-months involved research and drawing plans for the rigging.

The Charles W. Morgan still exists. It is a major fixture at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut. It is the only surviving American wooden whaling ship. The Morgan was launched in 1841, and during her 80-year career at sea she made 37 voyages, several lasting four or more years while hunting whales from the arctic circle to the south seas.

Period: last half of the 19th-Century
Model length: 16”  Height: 13”
Scale: 1:128