If you love historic boats and maritime museums, the watercraft collection at Mystic Seaport is likely one of your favorite attractions. For nearly four decades, Dana Hewson was the steady hand caring for that fleet—overseeing repairs, restorations, and daily maintenance that kept the collection seaworthy and accessible to the public.
Dana Hewson began his career at Mystic Seaport in 1977 as the institution’s first full-time shipkeeper. He advanced to vessel maintenance supervisor, and after eight years he took charge of the Shipyard Department and became curator of watercraft. By 1989 he was serving as vice president for watercraft preservation, a role that at times also included oversight of facilities and broader watercraft programs. When he retired this spring, Hewson relinquished his duties as vice president for watercraft preservation and programs and as Clark Senior Curator of Watercraft. To mark his long service, we asked him to reflect on his life at sea and his work preserving maritime heritage.
First memory of being on a boat: My earliest vivid memory is of a rented skiff out on Warwick Cove in Narragansett Bay. My father and uncle took my cousin and me day-fishing off Warwick Neck Light. The water was choppy and the little flat-bottom skiff bounced uncomfortably at anchor. We were hopeful, but the day ended without a single catch. Even so, the experience of being out on the bay left a lasting impression.
First boat you owned: In high school I owned a National One Design sailboat. It felt old at the time, but I loved it. I kept it on a mooring in Warwick Cove, only a block or two from home, and spent a lot of time sailing and learning seamanship on that small boat.
Your current boat: My wife Sara and I have a 1990 Tripp Angler, 22 feet with a cuddy cabin. This is our third summer with her and she’s proved to be a very practical and enjoyable dayboat. We plan to spend many days aboard this season, cruising local waters and using her for simple, reliable outings.
Favorite boat you’ve owned: Right now, it’s the Tripp Angler—she meets our needs perfectly and is a pleasure to handle. Sometimes the most recent boat becomes the favorite simply because of how often you use it and the memories you make aboard.
Your dream boat: I’d love a well-built wooden cruising powerboat, 28 to 35 feet, based on a traditional New England design. Something in excellent condition, perhaps inspired by a Maine lobster hull or a displacement-style hull like the Noank or Post-built designs. Post produced an interesting line of Seagoin’ boats that blended commercial utility with pleasure-boat characteristics, and that type of craft appeals to me.
Most memorable experience aboard: Over nearly 40 years at Mystic Seaport, I spent countless hours working on and around the Charles W. Morgan. When I arrived at the museum she was undergoing a major restoration, and throughout my career she remained central to the collection: regular maintenance, periodic haulouts, tending through storms and winters, additional restorations, and the extensive planning that led to her 2014 voyage. Being on board for her first day sailing in more than 80 years was unforgettable—a true highlight of my career and a milestone for the museum.
Favorite boat in the Mystic Seaport collection: I was closely involved in acquiring Roann, an Eastern-rig dragger, and I believe she may soon be one of the last of her kind still afloat—preserved and restored at Mystic Seaport. Alongside Brilliant, a schooner designed by Olin Stephens, these vessels embody the principle of form following function. Each was built with a purpose and remains operational, serving as living teaching tools. Brilliant has sailed with more than 10,000 teenagers, giving generations hands-on exposure to traditional seamanship. During my tenure, four vessels at Mystic Seaport earned the National Historic Landmark designation, the country’s highest recognition of historical significance, and all were restored while I was on staff.
Proudest contribution to Mystic Seaport: The work on the Charles W. Morgan stands out as the most important contribution. Her second major restoration and the subsequent voyage were moments of deep personal and professional significance. Being responsible for maintaining her and seeing the museum and public rally around that project was incredibly rewarding—a true “pinch-yourself” experience.
Why preserve and share maritime heritage? The sea and our relationship with it have shaped societies and economies for centuries. As a maritime nation, understanding that relationship is essential for grasping cultural identity, historical development, and global interactions. In the years ahead, the oceans will continue to play a critical geopolitical role, and public institutions—maritime museums in particular—have an important role in helping people comprehend what the sea means for our future.
Favorite nautical book: All Brave Sailors by J. Revell Carr left a strong impression on me. It recounts a harrowing World War II survival story centered on a wooden lifeboat—tragedy, endurance, and human will. Mystic Seaport held that boat in its collection for decades, and seeing it in our Watercraft Hall was always sobering. The story is personal for many at the museum: Revell Carr was a mentor and friend, and I was involved in the boat’s eventual transfer to the Imperial War Museum in London.
Favorite nautical cause you support and why: Mystic Seaport. The museum’s wide-ranging collections and educational programs are vital to preserving maritime history. They provide context and continuity, helping the public understand the sea’s influence on world history and contemporary life.
Favorite quote about the sea: “The sea connects us all.”
This article originally appeared in the August 2017 issue.