CT National Historic Landmark Charles W. Morgan Stonington This old whaling ship was built in 1841 and had a massively successful whaling career for 80 years. It has served as a museum ship since the 1940's. It has been a National Historic Landmark since 1966. The entire Mystic Seaport living museum was built up … [Read more...]
Simon Lake’s Explorer
Simon Lake?! It was Destiny Simon Lakes's Explorer Monument, Milford Simon Lake was one of the most prolific and important submarine designers in American history. And his last name was Lake. Some people are just predestined for certain things I guess. Simon Lake also lived in Milford from 1907 until his death in … [Read more...]
Submarine Force Library and Museum
Subs, Heroes, and Grinders Groton (Google Maps location) March 2015 When I posted my page about the USS Nautilus being a National Historic Landmark, someone told me that there was nothing to celebrate about nuclear submarines. It was likely a throwaway comment for that person, but it stuck with me for quite a … [Read more...]
NHL: USS Nautilus
CT National Historic Landmark USS Nautilus Groton Naming ships Nautilus goes back to Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. I loved that story as a kid and loved reading it with my son again a few years ago. Even so, when I hear Nautilus, I now think of Connecticut's own special naval submarine, … [Read more...]
NHL: Sabino
CT National Historic Landmark The Sabino Stonington I believe I'm supposed to italicize Sabino because I think that's how boats are to be written about. However, in my reading, I've seen SABINO and I've seen "Sabino." So I don't really know. What I do know is that the Sabino is a small steamboat that is still … [Read more...]
Argia Mystic Cruise
Some Argle-Bargle Argia Mystic Cruise, Groton & Stonington October 2014 The Argia Cruise no longer travels under the Mystic River Bascule Bridge. I owe this experience entirely to my friend Julie who arranged an Argia Mystic Cruise for her husband Tim and some friends for his 40th birthday. Tim and I have been … [Read more...]
Book Review: Mystic Seaport
Salty Mystic Seaport, 1974 By The Mystic Seaport, Inc. I was perusing the shelves at the Windsor Library the other day and happened upon this book. It’s a picture book. There is one page of text. I could copy those three paragraphs and delight you with them, but you can probably guess what they say. So … [Read more...]
NHL: Capt. Nathaniel Palmer House
CT National Historic Landmark Captain Nathaniel Palmer House 40 Palmer Street, Stonington (Museum) Since the Palmer house is a full-fledged museum, and since I have had the pleasure of visiting it, this NHL page will be somewhat truncated. After all, you certainly should want to read about Palmer’s whole story … [Read more...]
The Oliver Cromwell
Site of Connecticut’s First Warship Oliver Cromwell, Essex As I write this sentence, my brain is already fretting about where to slot it in on CTMQ. It’s not a US First – although it’s close – and there are no ruins or remnants of it remaining here in Essex. All that exists are an interpretive sign and an old … [Read more...]
Mystic Seaport
A Whale of a Good Time Mystic Section of Stonington (Google Maps Location) August 11, 2007 This page is... embarrassing. The Seaport is, to me, Connecticut's premier attraction. I'm writing this statement 13 years after writing this page, and the only reason I keep it intact is so you all can laugh at me. I will … [Read more...]