Mystic― A crowd gathered Tuesday morning in the Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard at Mystic Seaport Museum to watch as shipwrights and two 600-ton cranes haul the L.A. Dunton onto keel blocking in preparation for a major restoration project.

Built in 1921, the Dunton was one of the last ships of its kind built without an engine. A National Historic Landmark, the 123-foot fishing schooner has been at the museum since 1963 after completing its career as a fishing vessel and and freighter.

Since its acquisition, maintenance has included restoration to its original design, engine removal, work done on the stern; deck beams, deck planking and frames have been replaced and topsides have been replanked. The vessel has never undergone a full restoration and the upcoming project will take several years to complete.

To have space for the 101-year-old Dunton’s restoration, the shipyard converted an area formerly used as a lumberyard for a new concrete pad at the north end of the shipyard.