Mystic Seaport workers dig out historic whaling ship after snowstorm.

Shipyard crews at Mystic Seaport used rubber and plastic shovels to remove heavy snow from the 113-foot whaling ship Charles W. Morgan and other wooden boats, then spread rock salt on decks to protect the wood.

Workers at Mystic Seaport spent Tuesday carefully removing heavy snow from wooden vessels after a record-setting Northeast storm. Crews avoided metal tools to prevent damage to decks and historic materials. After shoveling, workers scattered rock salt on decks so melting water would be saltier and less harmful to the wood. The cleanup is part of routine preservation for the museum's collection. Key details: - The Charles W. Morgan is a 113-foot wooden whaling ship in the museum's collection; crews used rubber and plastic shovels to clear snow from its decks. - Museum staff said metal shovels or snowblowers could pull out caulking made of pitch and other historic materials. - Rock salt was applied to decks after shoveling because fresh water from melting snow is reported as harmful to the wood. - About a dozen people began clearing boats at 7 a.m. and finished by lunchtime, then joined additional staff to clear the 37-acre riverfront grounds, which include cobblestone and gravel walkways. - Mystic Seaport has three large ships, including the Morgan, and about a dozen mid-sized vessels that are cleared in each storm. Summary: The work was described as careful and time-consuming because staff must protect historically accurate materials while removing snow. The museum planned limited staff access and some exhibits on Wednesday, and the Morgan was expected to be ready for visitors over the weekend, with that timeline dependent on the latest weather forecast.