The world's last wooden whaling ship sailed alongside whales again Friday.
The Charles W. Morgan reached Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in Provincetown, Massachusetts on July 11, located on the tip of Cape Cod. The restored 1841 whaling ship is touring southern New England ports for its first voyage since 1921.
The Provincetown sanctuary is a popular spot for whale watching and sure enough the ship's crew spotted some humpback whales.
"In company with the sanctuary’s research vessel Auk, the Morgan lowered a whaleboat to pursue whales in a gesture to symbolize the change in humankind’s relationship with the oceans and marine mammals," according to a news release from Mystic Aquarium.
Mystic Seaport posted a video of the whale encounter on YouTube.
The original Charles W. Morgan sailed on 37 voyages worldwide.
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Recently restored, the ship will stay in Provincetown through Sunday, as the crew works with the National Marine Sanctuaries on "outreach activities highlighting the sanctuary's role in whale conservation and ocean research," according to the news release.
Click here to watch a live video of the whaling ship's visit to the Provincetown sanctuary.
The Charles W. Morgan will set sail again on Sunday.
