The Charles W. Morgan visits America’s First Destination as highlight of three-month journey

The Charles W. Morgan, a National Historic Landmark vessel and the last wooden whale ship in the world, will arrive in Provincetown, Mass. on July 10, 2014, as the highlight of its 38th voyage. A full schedule of commemorative programs is planned for July 10-14 in Provincetown, site of the first landing of the Pilgrims in 1620

The last of America’s historic 2700 ship strong whaling fleet, the Morgan will sail into the once renowned whaling village as it makes its three-month voyage to many of New England’s historic ports.

The Morgan was first launched in New Bedford, Mass., in 1841 and has remained docked at Mystic Seaport since 1941. Her latest commemorative voyage embarked on May 17, 2014, recalling a history of more than eighty years. This ‘lucky ship’ pursued whales to the ends of the earth, navigating Cape Horn, relentless storms, arctic ice, hostile territories and the general hazards of life at sea.

When the Morgan returns to Provincetown Harbor, it will be with a different mission. Scheduled to sail from Provincetown through the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, the Morgan’s mission is to serve as an ambassador for ocean stewardship and as a reminder of America’s marine heritage. With the Stellwagen just offshore, Provincetown’s legacy is one of ecotourism, recognized as one of the world’s finest whale watching destinations.

Provincetown may be a sure bet for history buffs and the public to see and learn about the Morgan. A full array of programs will accompany the viewing of the vessel in the picturesque setting of Provincetown, rated by numerous travel magazines as one of America’s best shoreline communities.

Charles W. Morgan
Provincetown Event Schedule
July 10-14, 2014

CENTER FOR COASTAL STUDIES EVENTS

Thursday, July 10

11 a.m.
Province Lands Visitor Center
Lecture: The History of Whaling and Charles W. Morgan
Presented by the Center for Coastal Studies and Cape Cod National Seashore.
Free, all welcome, no reservations required.

7 p.m.
Napi’s Restaurant, Freeman Street, Provincetown
Lecture: Black Sails
New Zealand writer and filmmaker Caroline Fitzgerald discusses her latest project, BLACK SAILS, a documentary that explores the relationship between Maori hunters and New England whalers in the first half of the 1800s.
Presented by the Center for Coastal Studies and Napi’s Restaurant.
Free, all welcome, no reservations required.

Friday, July 11

11 a.m.
Larkin Hall at the Center for Coastal Studies, 5 Holway Avenue
Meet Delilah!
Step inside Delilah, an inflatable, life-sized North Atlantic right whale and learn all about these rare and amazing animals.
Presented by the Center for Coastal Studies.
All welcome, no reservations required, suggested donation $3. All proceeds support the Center’s education programs.

Saturday, July 12

3:30 p.m.
Larkin Hall at the Center for Coastal Studies, 5 Holway Avenue
Lecture by Dr. Sylvia Earle
Famed marine biologist and explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle discusses our changing views of the ocean and its inhabitants.
Sponsored by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and the Center for Coastal Studies.
Free, reservations required. To register, call 508-487-3622 ext. 103.

5:30 p.m.
Dolphin Fleet dock, Macmillan Pier
Private Sunset/Moonrise Whale-Watch
Join Center for Coastal Studies scientists, friends and family for a private cruise aboard the Dolphin Fleet. Enjoy dinner and drinks; watch the ocean’s most magnificent creatures at play; sail by the Charles W. Morgan and imagine the harbor, as it would have been in the19th century.
All-inclusive cost is $120 ($100 for Center members), reservations required. Call 508-487-3622 ext. 103 to register. All proceeds support the Center’s whale research and rescue programs.

Monday July 14

4:30 p.m.
Venture Athletics Water Sports, Whaler’s Wharf, Provincetown
Kayak tour around the Charles W. Morgan
Join Center educator Jesse Mechling for a narrated kayak tour of Provincetown Harbor and an up-close view of the historic whale ship Charles W. Morgan.
Cost is $50, reservations required. Call Venture Athletics at 508-487-9442 to register. Proceeds support the Center’s education programs.

STELLWAGEN BANK NATIONAL
MARINE SANCTUARY EVENTS

The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is a sponsoring partner in the Morgan’s 38th voyage, which takes the whale ship to historic whaling ports and a whale feeding ground that has been designated a national marine sanctuary.
During her days in the Provincetown area, the ship will make three trips into Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, where crew and guests will observe these large marine mammals in their natural setting, participate in scientific activities and broadcast live web TV programs.

A NOAA/Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary exhibit tent will be located at the end of MacMillan Wharf and will include information about sanctuary whale research, education and conservation programs.

July 11-13

10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m.
Online, and at Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum
OceansLive web telecast from aboard the Charles W. Morgan
A series of live programs will include commentary from historians, scientists, authors and artists on a range of topics including whales, navigation and mapping (yesterday and today), whale conservation programs, whale biology and behavior, and more. Check www.oceanslive.org for updates on the programming.

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
MacMillan Pier
Exhibit Pavilion
View exhibits from the sanctuary and other local organizations, including Center for Coastal Studies, Cape Cod National Seashore and NOAA Fisheries. A model sperm whale will also be on display. A shuttle bus will be available to take visitors to the Forgotten Port exhibit at the Provincetown Museum/Pilgrim Memorial.
Free, all welcome, no reservations required.

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Province Lands Visitor Center
Track the Voyages of the Morgan
Visit the Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary exhibit at the Province Lands Visitor Center and track the Morgan’s daily sails using the Automatic Identification System (AIS).
Free, all welcome, no reservations required.

Ongoing
Fathom That!
The sanctuary’s cell phone/smartphone outreach program entitled “Fathom That” will have numerous messages and visuals tied to the 38th Voyage. Listen to right whale and sperm whale sounds, learn how noisy ships are masking whale communication, and find out more about whales and the sanctuary. Dial 781-304-1013 ext. 38 or go to https://bycell.mobi/stellwagen.

Ongoing
From Whaling to Watching Website
Check out the latest updates on the 38th Voyage, local whales and the Morgan’s sails to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Visit http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/whales.

PILGRIM MONUMENT & PROVINCETOWN
MUSEUM EVENTS

Ongoing
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily
Pilgrim Monument, High Pole Hill
FORGOTTEN PORT: Provincetown’s Whaling Heritage
This new exhibition at the Provincetown Museum tells the story of the historical importance of the whaling industry to the town’s development and follows the evolution of the town from hunting whales to saving whales. Also on display: The History, Restoration and Historic Journey of the Charles W. Morgan.
Admission is $12 adults, $10 seniors, $4 children; children under the age of four enter free. PMPM provides ample parking in the center of Town; $12 parking fee includes one free adult admission to the Monument and Museum. For more information, visit www.pilgrim-monument.org or call 508-487-1310.

July 11-13

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Provincetown Free Shuttle Service
Ride the “Funk Bus” from the Exhibit Pavilion on Macmillan Pier to PMPM free of charge.

10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m.
Mayflower Room, Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum
OceansLive web telecast from aboard the Charles W. Morgan
A series of live programs will include commentary from historians, scientists, authors and artists on a range of topics including whales, navigation and mapping (yesterday and today), whale conservation programs, whale biology and behavior, and more.
Free with museum admission.

Looking for the Charles W. Morgan?
She will be using Provincetown as a base for sails with NOAA research vessels off Stellwagen Bank July 10-14. Look for her on the water or follow online at: www.mysticseaport.org/38thvoyage.