Hartford - The State Bond Commission on Friday approved $500,000 to support the restoration of the Charles W. Morgan.

The wooden whaleship - the last of its kind - is at the Mystic Seaport, which is planning a 2014 relaunch and sail around New England.

The state money will go toward developing educational programs and materials for the 2013-14 school year, recently declared the "Year of the Charles W. Morgan." The Seaport also received a $500,000 grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services to create an interactive online curriculum.

State Sen. Andrew Maynard,
D-Stonington, and state Rep. Diana Urban, D-North Stonington, led the bond commission effort.

The restoration and voyage carry a $10 million price tag. More than half of that has been raised.

- JC Reindl