Going Merry



The Going Merry is a caraval class ship that acted as the first main mode of transporation of the Straw Hat Pirates. It was designed by Merry and given by Kaya to the Straw Hats as a reward for saving her. Over time, the ship came to be loved by the crew as a home and as a friend, that it literally took a life of its own and became just as part of the crew as any them.

Appearence
It had a jib and a central steer rudder. The ship's armament consisted of four (4) cannons, one in the bow pointing forward, 2 near the stern pointing to either side, and one that was occasionally seen on deck at the stern - although they where rarely used, the Straw Hat Pirates usually preferring to run away or engage in hand to hand combat. After the Arlong arc, the Going Merry gained three tangerine trees from Belle-Mère's farm, a memento of Nami's home. As the series continued on, the ship recieved more and more damage and gained several metal patches to hold it together.

Statistics

 * Japanese Name: ゴーイングメリー号
 * Romanized Name: Gōingu Merī-gō ("gō" is a suffix to denote that the name belongs to a boat)
 * English Name: Going Merry; Merry Go
 * Affiliations: Straw Hat Pirates
 * Japanese VA:
 * First Appearence: Manga Chapter 41; Original Anime Episode 17; English Anime Episode 16
 * Last Appearence: Manga Chapter 430

East Blue Voyage
The Going Merry began its voyage in East Blue. Where it carried the first five Straw Hat Pirates, Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji, across the various locations in East Blue.

After the events in Syrup Village, the Going Merry was given by Kaya as a reward for saving her from Kuro. The ship was originally designed by Merry for Kaya as a luxury vessel. This marked an important event for the Strawhats as they had acquired for the first time, a proper pirate ship. After a touching moment in which Usopp joined the crew, the Going Merry then sat off for the future voyages that laid ahead.

At first, the voyage was pretty much easygoing. Designing the Jolly Roger to be put on the flag of the ship and everything else trivial, seemed to be all the concerns of the crew. It was not until they met Johnny and Yosaku onboard the Going Merry that a serious problem accord to them. Having accidently shot their boat while testing the ship's cannons, the two bounty hunters showed to the crew first hand the grave consequences of scurvy with the state that Yosaku was then in. This made the entire crew realize that they needed a cook in order to protect them from the disease. Luckily the crew was informed by the bounty hunters that the ocean going restaurant, Baratie, was nearby. This vessel they said, would be the perfect place to inquire for a cook. The Going Merry was then steered in the direction of the vessel. Upon reaching the restaurant however, several events happened which led to ultimately led to a battle in the middle of the ocean. In the midst of all the commotion, the Going Merry was secretly taken by Nami and steered into the direction of Commi Island, her homeland which was then entirely under the control of Arlong.

After the battle with Arlong and his crew, the Going Merry was later reclaimed and given three tangerines, which were planted on top of it's cabin. The Going Merry then continued on its voyage towards the Grand Line. While sailing towards its destination, the crew made a slight detour to the last island in East Blue before entering the grandline, Lougetown, in order to stock on supplies for the journey ahead. This decission was most supported by Luffy as the fabled town was where Gold Roger was born and executed, and intended to visit the very place the legendary Pirate King had died. After docking the ship on a shore far from town in order to avoid drawing the attention of the marines stationed there, the crew went into town for business. This shoreleave, which was already then made complicated by the reappearance of Buggy and the pursuit of Smoker's marines, however was abruptly ended with the appearance of mysterious storm which forced the entire crew to head back to the ship.

After escaping from Lougetown, the crew then acted out a ceremony onboard the Going Merry before entering the Grand Line while the storm raged on. Symbolized by placing their feet above a barrel, the entire crew vowed to accomplish all their dreams. With that done, the Going Merry was then steered towards Reverse Mountain, the entrance of the Grand Line.

Grand Line
Once the Going Merry entered the Grand Line, it was shortly swallowed by an Island Whale named Laboon, after crashing into the whale's side, and knocking the Headpiece off. Consequently, it was Luffy's favorite seat on their voyage, making him angry. Luffy was not swallowed but rather followed a trap door in. Once they got out and found out about Log Poses, they helped Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday go back to their home island, Whiskey Peak. Soon after they were rushed into the Baroque Works Arc where the Merry sustained much damage. The Ship had to endure the freezing climate of Drum Island where another member, Tony Tony Chopper was picked up. Both [Usopp]] and Chopper would be invaluable, acting as the ship's repair crew until a proper shipwright could be found. Once the Baroque Works Saga was over, the ship entered another demension(Anime Only Filler) and then proceded to Sky Island where the ship fell from large heights many times. While in Skypeia, Merry took much damage, Sky Breeder Shura, a Skypeian Priest hade lit the Mast on fire. Chopper, to stop the ship from totally burning away, broke the mast off and threw it in the water.

Mysterious Spririt
While the entire crew is sleeping at their camp, Usopp gets up to go pee, where he sees a mysterious spirit repairing the ship. The Spirit looks at him and Smiles, and Usopp freaks out, thinking he has seen a Ghost. The Next Morning, the ship has been repaired, but it was not a quality job.

The World Government Saga
After the Davy Back Fight the Straw Hat Crew has gone to Water 7, a large city covering an entire island, renowned for it's shipwrights, even Pirates don't dare attack, at risk of not having their ships repaired, or losing the ability to buy a new one. Here the crew trades in their ancient gold artifacts, aquired from Skypeia into Belly, hoping to use their newly aquired 300,000 Belly to get the Going Merry repaired. However, one of the Shipwrights, Kaku, takes a look at their ship, explaining that a cricital part of their ship, the Keel, is broken, making the ship unrepairable. With this information they can abandon the Merry, and buy a new ship, or let the Merry sink on the way to the next island. The Crew, Luffy especially, agree that the ship isn't going to be able to take them any further. Usopp, who treasures the Merry, is the only one that disagrees. Luffy and Usopp battle that night for right to own the Going Merry, and Usopp, even though knowing Luffy very well, and attempting to counter his strategy, loses. However the rest of the crew takes their belongings off, and lets Usopp have the ship.

Eventually the CP9 are revealed, and Usopp, with Franky in Franky's private hidden ship workshop, is told that the Going Merry is a ship, who's job is to carry it's crew from one island to the next. if it can not carry it's crew to an island, it has failed it's duty, and will be happier to simply be dismantled at an island. Usopp explains to Franky that he saw a mysterious spirit, who Franky Reveals is a Klaubutermann. Usopp explains he knew all along that the ship couldn't go on any longer, but he couldn't let Miss Kaya's gift be destroyed so suddenly. Franky begins to dismantle the ship, with Usopp in protest. Suddenly, the members of Cipher Police 9 appear, and are looking for the Blueprints to Pluton. Kaku explains that even though he is a Traitor, he meant what he said when he did his evaluation of the Going Merry. Casting the Going Merry off to sea, it would remain there for the rest of the [Enies Lobby Arc|Enies Lobby]] arc, until the very end.

Suddenly, the Gonig Merry appears out of nowhere, the Gate of Justice closes, and the crew escape, meanwhile the Buster Call ships are stuck because of the whirlpools created. As soon as a Galley-La ship appears, the Going Merry breaks apart, and speaks to them. The Going Merry says goodbye, and the crew said their final farewells, as the ship was lit on fire and cremated.