1941, and she was declared a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. In 1971, Melbourne Brindle of Bridgeport, Connecticut designed four commemorative stamps of historic landmarks including the Morgan. For the first 30 years at Mystic Seaport, she was surrounded by a bed of sand to prevent her from sinking. Even so, she was open to the public and was the centerpiece of a recreated 19th century maritime village museum inspired by Colonial Williamsburg. She is the only preserved 19th century whaling ship in the world. The Mystic Seaport undertook a restoration and preservation project in 1968 to make her seaworthy, and the sand bed was removed. Prior to the 1968 restoration, she had a wide white stripe painted on her sides with large black squares that resembled gun ports when viewed at a distance. This "camouflage" was often employed by 19th century merchant ships to make them resemble warships so as to deter pirates and hostile navies. In 2010, Mystic Seaport engaged in a multimillion-dollar project to restore the ship to seaworthy status. She was re-launched into the Mystic River on July 21, 2013, marking the 172nd anniversary of the vessel's initial launch. During the summer of 2014, she sailed her 38th voyage on tour of New England seaports which included New London, Connecticut, Newport, Rhode Island, Boston, and her home town of New Bedford, Massachusetts. See also List of National Historic Landmarks in Connecticut National Register of Historic Places listings in New London County, Connecticut List of museum ships Other preserved 19th-century sailing ships: USS Constitution USS Niagara USS Constellation Cutty Sark Effie M. Morrissey / Ernestina Coronet References External links Deck prisms on the Charles W. Morgan Whaling ships Museum ships in Mystic, Connecticut Tall ships of the United States Ships built in New Bedford, Massachusetts National Register of Historic Places in New London County, Connecticut Historic district contributing properties in Connecticut Ships on the National Register of Historic Places in Connecticut