By Roger Chartier

New Bedford
Old Ship Hove Down

A whaling ship is "hove down"

In New Bedford, Ma.for repair to the hull.

The ship had to be light and not weighed down with cargo to do this.

This method allowed workers to stand on small work rafts.

Depending on what was needed they would clean, paint, re-copper or recaulk the hull.
Click the pic to enlarge it.