8 Mystic Seaport
The Sea and the Stars at Mystic Seaport 
Led by our tour guide Chris, we see a 1:128 scale model of the Mystic River during the mid-1800s. It has more than 250 buildings, ships, and shipyards throughout the 12 x 40 feet wide display case! Chris also mentioned how the Mystic Seaport Museum is a collection of historic buildings that were gathered across New England and brought to Mystic Seaport to recreate what a seaport village would look like in the 1800’s. As we looked through the scale model, we observed the depiction of the deforested areas that were a result of the construction of ships and homes across the Mystic River.
Shown here is the forecastle of the Charles W. Morgan, an American whaling ship built in 1841 and used for whaling until 1921. The forecastle was used as sailors’ quarters, but as we can see from one of our students, it wasn’t very spacious! These quarters held up to 22 sailors at a time with a multitude of living conditions one might not even think were fair. Conditions such as being poorly ventilated and very damp resulted in a growth of mold and pests while the only light sources that existed were lanterns and the sunlight from tiny glass holes in the ceiling called “light prisms”. I definitely felt uncomfortable thinking about having to live here and couldn’t imagine being one of the sailors that went on years-long whaling trips that lived through this either!
This is one of the original supporting beams of the Charles W. Morgan and you can see how degraded it has become over the almost 200 years it’s been in use. This raises an important historical and conservation question: if we replace the deteriorating original parts of the Charles W. Morgan with new parts over time, will it eventually still be the Charles W. Morgan? This discussion has been debated heavily in relevance to conserving historical buildings and historical ships and my thoughts on it are, well sort of! The replacement of parts is needed to maintain public outreach and education on maritime history, it’s important to know how we, as humans, got to where we were today!
Here we can see the constellation Cygnus and behind it, part of the Great Rift! Before modern navigation tools in boats today, when the sun was down, sailors from centuries ago relied on these star patterns in the sky during the dark night to help them navigate across the ocean. These sailors noticed when and where these constellations would touch the horizon during specific routes and would memorize them when they took those same routes again. Later tools such as the sextant would work along with these stars and –with charts—would help sailors accurately determine the position they were in when they were out sailing in the ocean at night,
Technology in the whaling area
by Rocco Maner
In a time with heightened racial tensions: abolitionists clashing against those who were pro-slavery, segregation flooding states, and racial prejudice against freedmen in the working world, it was at sea where these men of color could have a greater chance of equality. On whaling boats like the Charles W. Morgan, which we had the opportunity to tour at Mystic Seaport, there was quite literally no room for intolerance. While there might've been tension between the sailors, they still had to share living spaces and utilities, as there were very few to begin with. Why create separate spaces based on race when that space could be used to carry more product?
But, it wasn't just work that these freed men could find on boats; it was also an opportunity for status and community. Whaling looked past skin color and looked directly at the quality of the work. The men who paid for the expedition, although they might not have been the most progressive, were expecting their money's worth from a voyage. So, whichever man could successfully fill in positions of authority that would achieve the most significant profit was the sailor for the job.
Pictured above is John Theofilo Gonsalves, the final captain of the Charles W. Morgan, which is the last wooden whaling vessel. Gonsalves spent his entire life at sea, starting at age 11, and was incredibly successful. On a 3-year voyage on the Morgan, he returned with 2,400 barrels of oil, which pales in comparison to his final trip from 1920 to 1921, which spanned 9 months and yielded 2,702 barrels of whale oil. Both are incredible voyages that bring back plenty of profit, but they go to show how, even at 67 years of age, Gonsalves was at the top of his craft. Gonsalves is “credited with capturing more whales than any other whaling captain of color”. His dedication to the boat allowed him to go up the ranks to become a captain, something many other men of color couldn't find on land.
The Surge of Sea Shantys
by Eily Montenegro
After getting to climb the rigging of the Joseph Conrad and exploring the cooperage where barrels were crafted, we learned about Sea Shantys— how they came about, why they were important, how they came to an abrupt end, and finally how they were preserved. Sea Shanties came about around 1810, after the Napoleonic Wars. With less violence at sea, vessels didn’t need as many hands on deck to protect their cargo. Around this time, crew sizes decreased by about a tenth. This meant, however, that work aboard vessels became less distributed, making a sailor's life much more laborious. During this time, becoming a sailor was an employment opportunity for black men. Emancipated black men brought work songs with them while aboard these vessels. Prior to shanties, drums and flutes would be used aboard vessels to keep time for repetitive, laborious tasks.
The photo above depicts a shantyman, or the shanty leader, playing an accordion while the sailors work to raise anchor. He sings the lead and the men sing in response as they push the anchor windlass to keep a steady walking rhythm. (1929)
We learned that there were different shanties for different tasks, such as weighing anchor and hauling lines. They had different rhythms for the different tasks. We also learned that many sailors spoke different languages, so when shanties were sung they often were unsure of what was being said. In response, they would sing gibberish or change the words to more recognizable words in their own language. As an example, we were sung a shanty that had no true words and asked to sing along. I personally sang “lands hoe, me boys, lands hoe,” but many heard “ranzo” or “banjo” instead. We also sang the songs Strike the Bell, Hello Somebody Hello, John Kanaka, Fiddle-Me-Oo-Re-I-Re-A, The Crawdad, and Cuckoo!
Shanties declined in use around the 1900s as steam powered ships came into use. Steam engines began to replace manual labor, therefore the need for shanties died down. Many shanties were lost to history, but around the 1920s, the Library of Congress went out to write down and collect different kinds of music for their Archive of American Folksongs. During this time, old sailors would sing their past work shanties at bars and it was able to be recorded and preserved.
Mystic Connecticut Trip
A Slice of History
by Lucy DeWitt
On Friday, October 24th, our MAR 355 class crossed state borders into Mystic, Connecticut. If you’re anything like me, when you hear “Mystic,” you immediately think of the iconic 80s movie starring Julia Roberts, Mystic Pizza. But there’s so much more to the little seaport, with a rich maritime history that played a significant role in the development of the New England colonies. The film Mystic Pizza may seem like a kitschy movie that turned the town into a tourist attraction, but it’s also what put Mystic, Connecticut, on the map and brought attention to the surrounding area. You may initially come to Mystic for the pizzeria, but you can’t spend your whole day there. You have to fill your day with other things, right? And what better way to do that than to visit the Mystic Seaport Museum?
by Lawrence Pak
Shown here is the forecastle of the Charles W. Morgan, an American whaling ship built in 1841 and used for whaling until 1921. The forecastle was used as sailors’ quarters, but as we can see from one of our students, it wasn’t very spacious! These quarters held up to 22 sailors at a time with a multitude of living conditions one might not even think were fair. Conditions such as being poorly ventilated and very damp resulted in a growth of mold and pests while the only light sources that existed were lanterns and the sunlight from tiny glass holes in the ceiling called “light prisms”. I definitely felt uncomfortable thinking about having to live here and couldn’t imagine being one of the sailors that went on years-long whaling trips that lived through this either!
by Rocco Maner
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| This rowboat would be the typical size and style used by whalers in the 18th and 19th centuries. Whalers would use harpoons connected to ropes to spear and follow the whale as it swam away from the main whaling vessel. Whalers would ride in the small rowboat attached to the whale (called a Nantucket sleigh ride) until it would tire. When the whale would rise to the surface, whalers would use a spear or a bomb lance to finish the whale off. One could imagine the intense thrill a sailor would feel during the hunt. |
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This
is a bomb lance used during the 19th century in the whaling industry. The rifle
weighs over 40 lbs and is made of brass or iron. Whalers would take these onto
the small rowboats that were hooked to whales after they were harpooned. The
weapon would be loaded with an explosive projectile that contained a timer
which started as the lance was fired. It could be fired directly into the
whale's head, stopping them in their tracks. An incredibly brutal but effective
tool used for hunting whales. |
 |
| On display above the rowboat are multiple tools used in the process of harvesting the blubber from the whales. The large blades used to peel and cut up the whale's blubber were called the boarding knife, mincing knife, and the spade. Additionally, the blubber gaff was used to hook and move the large, spiraled strips of blubber onto the ship. Lastly, the large pan and strainer were used to pull the pieces of burnt whale fat that would not be boiled down any further into oil ( called fritters). All the tools displayed played an important yet grisly role in the processing of whales. |
 |
| The mandible (lower part of the jaw) of a sperm whale currently on display at Mystic Seaport. The efforts of the whaling industry focused mainly on sperm, right, and bowhead whales. This was due to their large size, blubber content, and spermaceti within the sperm whale's skull. All three species were so heavily hunted that they nearly went extinct in the 19th century. It is important to recognize the impacts that whaling has had on whale populations to further protect them from extinction. |
Diversity in The Whaling World
by Jade Salas
In a time with heightened racial tensions: abolitionists clashing against those who were pro-slavery, segregation flooding states, and racial prejudice against freedmen in the working world, it was at sea where these men of color could have a greater chance of equality. On whaling boats like the Charles W. Morgan, which we had the opportunity to tour at Mystic Seaport, there was quite literally no room for intolerance. While there might've been tension between the sailors, they still had to share living spaces and utilities, as there were very few to begin with. Why create separate spaces based on race when that space could be used to carry more product?
But, it wasn't just work that these freed men could find on boats; it was also an opportunity for status and community. Whaling looked past skin color and looked directly at the quality of the work. The men who paid for the expedition, although they might not have been the most progressive, were expecting their money's worth from a voyage. So, whichever man could successfully fill in positions of authority that would achieve the most significant profit was the sailor for the job.
Pictured above is John Theofilo Gonsalves, the final captain of the Charles W. Morgan, which is the last wooden whaling vessel. Gonsalves spent his entire life at sea, starting at age 11, and was incredibly successful. On a 3-year voyage on the Morgan, he returned with 2,400 barrels of oil, which pales in comparison to his final trip from 1920 to 1921, which spanned 9 months and yielded 2,702 barrels of whale oil. Both are incredible voyages that bring back plenty of profit, but they go to show how, even at 67 years of age, Gonsalves was at the top of his craft. Gonsalves is “credited with capturing more whales than any other whaling captain of color”. His dedication to the boat allowed him to go up the ranks to become a captain, something many other men of color couldn't find on land.
The Surge of Sea Shantys
by Eily Montenegro
After getting to climb the rigging of the Joseph Conrad and exploring the cooperage where barrels were crafted, we learned about Sea Shantys— how they came about, why they were important, how they came to an abrupt end, and finally how they were preserved. Sea Shanties came about around 1810, after the Napoleonic Wars. With less violence at sea, vessels didn’t need as many hands on deck to protect their cargo. Around this time, crew sizes decreased by about a tenth. This meant, however, that work aboard vessels became less distributed, making a sailor's life much more laborious. During this time, becoming a sailor was an employment opportunity for black men. Emancipated black men brought work songs with them while aboard these vessels. Prior to shanties, drums and flutes would be used aboard vessels to keep time for repetitive, laborious tasks.
The photo above depicts a shantyman, or the shanty leader, playing an accordion while the sailors work to raise anchor. He sings the lead and the men sing in response as they push the anchor windlass to keep a steady walking rhythm. (1929)
We learned that there were different shanties for different tasks, such as weighing anchor and hauling lines. They had different rhythms for the different tasks. We also learned that many sailors spoke different languages, so when shanties were sung they often were unsure of what was being said. In response, they would sing gibberish or change the words to more recognizable words in their own language. As an example, we were sung a shanty that had no true words and asked to sing along. I personally sang “lands hoe, me boys, lands hoe,” but many heard “ranzo” or “banjo” instead. We also sang the songs Strike the Bell, Hello Somebody Hello, John Kanaka, Fiddle-Me-Oo-Re-I-Re-A, The Crawdad, and Cuckoo!
Shanties declined in use around the 1900s as steam powered ships came into use. Steam engines began to replace manual labor, therefore the need for shanties died down. Many shanties were lost to history, but around the 1920s, the Library of Congress went out to write down and collect different kinds of music for their Archive of American Folksongs. During this time, old sailors would sing their past work shanties at bars and it was able to be recorded and preserved.
by Maximillian Chronister
The Orient point lighthouse was built in 1899, made for the purpose of warning ships of oyster pond reef. The structure is 45 feet tall and sits on a concrete caisson foundation. In 1958 the light was automated by the coastguard, ending the need for a lighthouse keeper. In 2013 it was added to the National Register of Historical Places.
The New London Ledge Light completed construction in 1909 and is situated offshore at the mouth of the Thames River. It was built to replace light ships that struggled to mark the area effectively. In 1987 the lighthouse was automated, and it is currently maintained by the New London Maritime society. The unique architecture makes it a popular local landmark.
The New London Harbor Light was built in 1801, making it the oldest standing lighthouse in Connecticut. It was also one of the first lighthouses in America to use the Fresnel lens, drastically improving brightness and range. It replaced an older, smaller wooden lighthouse that was built in 1760, the current lighthouse is 89 feet tall which also makes it the tallest lighthouse in CT. Its light was automated in 1912 and is maintained by the New London Maritime society.
The Avery Point lighthouse is located on the campus of the University of Connecticut in Groton. It was constructed in 1943 which makes it the last built lighthouse in the state. The 41-foot tower is constructed out of granite and limestone, but in 1967 it had fallen into disrepair causing it to be deactivated. Major restoration efforts by locals saved the building from demolition and the light was relight in 2006.
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| (Photo 1 credit- Jeremy D’Entremont. https://news.uslhs.org/2021/08/08/light-hearted-ep-131-randy-polumbo-orient-point-ny-george-latimer-tarrytown-ny/) |
The Orient point lighthouse was built in 1899, made for the purpose of warning ships of oyster pond reef. The structure is 45 feet tall and sits on a concrete caisson foundation. In 1958 the light was automated by the coastguard, ending the need for a lighthouse keeper. In 2013 it was added to the National Register of Historical Places.
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| (Photo 2 credit- Aerial New England. https://wbsm.com/new-london-lighthouse-haunted-ghost-ernie/) |
The New London Ledge Light completed construction in 1909 and is situated offshore at the mouth of the Thames River. It was built to replace light ships that struggled to mark the area effectively. In 1987 the lighthouse was automated, and it is currently maintained by the New London Maritime society. The unique architecture makes it a popular local landmark.
 |
| (Photo 3- Jeremy D’Entremont. https://news.uslhs.org/2021/10/21/new-london-maritime-society-ct-dedicating-2022-to-lighthouse-preservation/) |
The New London Harbor Light was built in 1801, making it the oldest standing lighthouse in Connecticut. It was also one of the first lighthouses in America to use the Fresnel lens, drastically improving brightness and range. It replaced an older, smaller wooden lighthouse that was built in 1760, the current lighthouse is 89 feet tall which also makes it the tallest lighthouse in CT. Its light was automated in 1912 and is maintained by the New London Maritime society.
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| (Photo 4 credit- Ron Foster. https://lighthousefoundation.org/lighthouses/avery-point-light/) |
The Avery Point lighthouse is located on the campus of the University of Connecticut in Groton. It was constructed in 1943 which makes it the last built lighthouse in the state. The 41-foot tower is constructed out of granite and limestone, but in 1967 it had fallen into disrepair causing it to be deactivated. Major restoration efforts by locals saved the building from demolition and the light was relight in 2006.
A Slice of History
by Lucy DeWitt
On Friday, October 24th, our MAR 355 class crossed state borders into Mystic, Connecticut. If you’re anything like me, when you hear “Mystic,” you immediately think of the iconic 80s movie starring Julia Roberts, Mystic Pizza. But there’s so much more to the little seaport, with a rich maritime history that played a significant role in the development of the New England colonies. The film Mystic Pizza may seem like a kitschy movie that turned the town into a tourist attraction, but it’s also what put Mystic, Connecticut, on the map and brought attention to the surrounding area. You may initially come to Mystic for the pizzeria, but you can’t spend your whole day there. You have to fill your day with other things, right? And what better way to do that than to visit the Mystic Seaport Museum?
The Mystic Seaport Museum brings to life the maritime legacy of New England through its living history exhibits, historic ships, and hands-on experiences that help visitors get a sense of what life was like during the height of America’s seafaring era. At the seaport, our class got to explore some of the historic ships and even climb the rigging. We also went inside the Charles W. Morgan, where we saw the different levels of the ship and how living conditions varied by rank. The further back you went, the lower your rank, and it very clearly showed. In the forecastle, where the crew stayed, the bunks were tightly packed and barely five feet long, with no drawers or extra storage space. As mentioned by Dr. Rider, everything you owned had to fit where you slept. Seeing that contrast in living spaces offered a glimpse into how rigidly structured life aboard a ship was.
While Mystic Pizza may have made the town famous, it’s clear that Mystic’s charm goes beyond the big screen. Regardless of whether you love or hate the film, it’s important to recognize how it helped transform a small New England seaport into a cultural landmark. Its appeal continues to draw visitors to the town who, in turn, end up discovering the deep maritime history that shaped the area. The movie may have started as a simple story about a pizzeria, but it ultimately helped preserve and promote a deeper appreciation for the town’s maritime heritage.
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