Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Arts & Culture

The Charles W. Morgan

Pictured, the Charles W. Morgan. "The Charles W. Morgan" tells the extraordinary story of America's last wooden whale ship still in existence and the incredible saga of the United States' first global industry.
Courtesy of © 2013 Mystic Seaport
Pictured, the Charles W. Morgan. "The Charles W. Morgan" tells the extraordinary story of America's last wooden whale ship still in existence and the incredible saga of the United States' first global industry.

Airs Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV

"The Charles W. Morgan" tells the extraordinary story of America's last wooden whale ship still in existence and the incredible saga of the United States' first global industry. From her humble beginnings in New Bedford, Mass. in 1841, the documentary follows the adventures of the Charles W. Morgan on her 37 voyages around the world.

Where is the Morgan?

View a chart of the 38th Voyage.

This "lucky ship" survived freeze-ups in the Arctic, attacks by South Sea headhunters, fire aboard ship and a host of other calamitous events. The documentary chronicles the efforts in Mystic, Conn. to restore the 170-year-old Charles W. Morgan and make it seaworthy before it sets sail on its 38th voyage.

Advertisement

Combining archival material with evocative cinematography and powerful on-camera interviews, the film chronicles the rise and fall of America's whaling industry using the only remaining vessel of the time period as a portal to the past.

Mystic Seaport is on Facebook, and Pinterest where you can follow the 38th Voyage, and you can follow @mysticseaport on Twitter.

Presented by Connecticut Public Broadcasting Inc.

The Charles W. Morgan Trailer