Ryan Leighton, a journalist from Boothbay, Maine, has been selected as a stowaway aboard the Charles W. Morgan, America’s oldest surviving merchant vessel, during her 38th voyage this summer.

As the stowaway, Leighton will be immersed in all aspects of the 19th century whaling ship’s voyage, living on board the ship with the crew, handling the sails and lines, and steering the ship. He will share his daily experiences through a blog and social media platforms.

Leighton graduated from the University of Maine with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and advertising and a minor in history.

You can follow Leighton’s blog at www.mysticseaport.org/stowaway, on Twitter @MorganStowaway and on Facebook www.facebook.com/mysticseaport. Leighton has filed his first video on the museum’s YouTube channel.

This summer the Morgan will stop at historic ports of call throughout New England, including New London, Newport, New Bedford and Boston.

The stowaway program was made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.