At Mystic Seaport in Mystic, CT, you'll find the Charles W. Morgan, the last whaling ship and America’s oldest commercial ship still afloat. But whaling was a dangerous occupation, even on a lucky ship. Many whalers have lost their lives in pursuit of the whale oil used to fuel lamps of the day. Drownings, falls from the rigging, as well as numerous accidents and illnesses were common. With such long and perilous journeys, it's little wonder that some of the whalers decided to stay aboard.