Going Merry

The nihongo|"Going Merry"|ゴーイングメリー号|Gōingu Merī-gō (the "-gō" suffix is lexically distinct from the name proper, and used to denote that the name is in fact that of a ship), is a fictional caravel used by the Straw Hat Pirates in the manga and anime series "One Piece" by Oda Eiichiro.

Part in the Story

Given to the Straw Hat Pirates early in the story, she serves as their vessel for a large part of their journey, from East Blue trough the first half of the Grand Line.

After their arrival at Water Seven, Luffy, the captain, makes the decision to switch to another ship after learning that the "Going Merry" has been damaged beyond all hope of repair, due to a broken keel. This brings Luffy into a confrontation with Usopp, because of his emotional attachment to the ship. Usopp leaves the crew to stay with the "Going Merry", but is unable to protect it against being send into the stormy ocean by a government agent.

Later the "Going Merry" makes a surprise appearance at the end of the battle at Enies Lobby, where she serves as the crews means of escape, after almost all hope was lost. However, once clear of the enemy ships, the "Going Merry" begins to split in two, finally at her limit. Realizing that the ship is finally at its last, the crew gives the "Going Merry" a viking funeral by burning her while she sinks into the sea.

She is replaced by the "Thousand Sunny", which is about twice the size of the "Going Merry".

Parts of the "Going Merry"

The "Going Merry" was designed by Merry, a close servant of Kaya. She has a jib and a central steering rudder. The ship's armament consists of four cannons, one in the bow pointing forward, two near the stern mounted port and starboard, and one that is occasionally seen on deck at the stern.

"Going Merry" has a bridge, located under the orange trees, which is also used as a conference room and galley. It has a cannon and reservoir deck, where two of the four cannons of the "Going Merry" are located. Supplies and various treasures are also stored there. The head is in the stern. It contains a toilet, a bathtub, and one of the two water pumps, which filter and desalinate sea water.

The female crewmembers are housed towards the stern in a cabin, furnished with a bar, desk, sofa, wardrobe, bookshelf, and hammocks. A hatch connects it with the male cabin towards the bow in the lower part of the ship. Which in contrast to the female cabin, it is quite large, furnished with hammocks, a wardrobe, table, laundry basket and with the main mast running directly by it.

The ships anchor is stored in the bow, along with life preservers and oars, to propel the ship if there is no wind, as well as the bow cannon and magazine.

Real-life counterpart

In recent years, a replica of the "Going Merry" was created and has been present at a number of exhibitions sponsored by Shueisha, Toei Animation, and Fuji TV, in Odaiba, Tokyo. The 2005 incarnation of this live-action replica is designed to show the beating the ship has taken up through the Water Seven arc.