The Shipsmith forges on. Out of the flames and the hammering come works of practical, sailing art. It’s part of the history of whaling you can experience at Mystic Seaport in the only whaling Shipsmith shop known to have survived from the 19th century.
A blacksmith specializes in creating the tools, hardware and anything else that was needed aboard ships set for whaling. Currently, Shipsmiths at Mystic Seaport are working on the oarlocks for the new rowboats being produced for the Charles W. Morgan’s 38th voyage.
It was hard work turning steel into useful products but it was a tradition of creativity that can be traced back throughout generations of families.