Going Merry



The Going Merry is the first major ship of the Straw Hat Pirates. It is a caraval class and acted as their main mode of transporation from East Blue to Water 7. 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.

Ship Design and 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 at places that could not be nailed back together, like Merry's headpiece and the Mast, which was torn off several times.

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 very easygoing. Many trivial tasks at the beginning, like the design of the Jolly Roger and placement of items were the all crew's biggest worries. It was not until they met Johnny and Yosaku onboard the Going Merry that a more serious issue occured. Having accidently shot their boat while testing the ship's cannons, the two bounty hunters showed to the crew first hand the 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 as well as starvation due the way Luffy and sometimes Zoro ate. Luckily the crew was informed by the bounty hunters that the ocean going restaurant, Baratie, was nearby. This vessel would be the perfect place to aquire a cook. The crew set off on their journey to stock up on food and gain a chef. During a raid by Don Krieg, which was further complicated by the appearance of Mihawk, Nami stole the Going Merry and headed back to Arlong and his crew, bringing the ship and the crew's treasures with them.

After the battle with Arlong, the Going Merry was later reclaimed and given three Mikan(Tangello, but usually translated as Tangerine or Orange) trees, which were planted on top of the ship's cabin, where they remained. The Merry then continued on its voyage towards the Grand Line. While sailing towards their destination, the crew made a stop to the last island in East Blue before entering the Grand Line, Lougetown, in order to stock supplies for the journey ahead. This stop had something important for everyone. 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 to complete their tasks. This trip, which was already then made complicated by the reappearance of Buggy the Clown and the pursuit of Smoker's Marines, was abruptly ended with the appearance of a massive storm. This storm stopped the Going Merry from being burnt by Mohji or the Marines, as matches could not be lit, and the Marine's gunpowder supply was wet.

After escaping from Lougetown, the crew then held a small 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 navigated towards Reverse Mountain, the entrance of the Grand Line.

Grand Line Voyage
The Going Merry continued its voyages with the Straw Hats in the Grand Line. Taking them from island to island, it had to endure the various obstacles of that the Grand Line gave such as the unpredictable weather conditions.

In the Shadow of Baroque Works
After the Going Merry traversing the Reverse Mountain and entering the Grand Line, the ship immediately encountered by an Island Whale named Laboon. After crashing into the whale's side and knocking the headpiece off, an infuriated Luffy broke the Going Merry's mast and plunged it into an open wound located on the whale. The whale angered by this attack swallowed the entire ship and most of the crew. Luffy however was not swallowed along with the rest with of the crew and the ship, but instead found a trap door on the whale's side and went in.

While inside the whale, the crew met Crocus, as well as Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday. After they got out of the whale and learned about Log Poses, the crew then escourted Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday back to their home island, Whiskey Peak, unbeenknownst to them what the two were really planing. After several events on the island where the crew learned about the secret organization, Baroque Works, its doings, and the true identity of Miss Wednesday, the Going Merry was then steered away from Whiskey Peak, with two extra passengers, Vivi, who disguised herself as Miss Wednesday, and Carue, Vivi's pet spot billed duck. The Going Merry then sailed into the direction of Little Garden via Log Pose where the crew experienced more Baroque Works related endeavours.

After surviving the battle brought about by Mr. 3, the Going Merry and its crew left Little Garden and headed in the direction of Arabasta using a Eternal Pose left by the aforementioned villian. They left Little Garden to their journey to Arabasta but not before the ship was temporarily swallowed by an Island Eater, which was shortly blown to bits by Dorry and Brogy. The journey to Vivi's homeland was at first smooth sailing until it was discovered that Nami was sick. This sickness, which no one in the crew could figure out, forced the Going Merry and its crew to make a slight detour to the nearest island to find a doctor. This island was Drum.

After defeating Wapol and his men, whose ship they encountered earlier before coming to Drum, the Going Merry aquired a new member to its list of occupants, the reindeer doctor, Chopper. With that the crew continued on its journey to Arabasta. While journeying to Arabasta, the ship accidentally took on board another passenger due to Luffy and Usopp's fishing techniques and some steam created by an underwater volcano. This person, Mr. 2 Bon Kurei, entertained the crew until his ship and crew came to the Going Merry to fetch him back. Upon learning the identity and powers of this person, the crew and their companions decided to protect themselves using an X mark placed on each of their right forearms and some bandages covering it. With this they swore onboard the Going Merry as being Nakama.

After reaching Arabasta and docking in Nanohana, the Going Merry briefly took onboard another passenger, Luffy's brother, Portgas D. Ace. After a short meeting with Ace about Blackbeard, the Going Merry was steered to the south western shores of Arabasta, across the great river, where it remained until some time. After Crocodile was defeated, it was learned that Mr. 2 had taken the ship. Learning about this the crew sped across the vast desert to retrieve their ship back. Upon reaching the ship, it was learned that Mr. 2 had taken the ship not as an enemy but as a friend. He had taken the ship in order to safeguard it from the various Marines that were then searching around the island for the Straw Hats. With the crew back on the Going Merry and the Straw Hats' bussiness with Baroque Works finished, it was time to leave Arabasta.

Leaving Arabasta was real obstacle for the Going Merry. Being pursued by the various Marine ships under Captain Hina, the Going Merry suffered heavily from battle damage. The metal poles that were shot from the Marine ships pierced the ship's side thus creating large holes in the Going Merry's frame. Fortunately however, the reformed Mr. 2, along with his crew, were able draw away the Marines then by pretending to be the Straw Hats thus saving the Going Merry from further damage. After all that, the Going Merry was steered to the north eastern part of the Arabasta. Here the Straw Hats were to meet up with Vivi in case she wanted to join up with the crew. Vivi was at the meeting place however she declined the offer for the sake of her country. The crew wanted to respond to Vivi from onboard the Going Merry however couldn't due to a nearby Marine ship. Not wanting to get Vivi in trouble, the crew instead responded by showing off their X marks to Vivi. With that sign of friendship, the Going Merry and its crew sailed away from Arabasta.

The escapades with Baroque Works had left the crew of the Going Merry very tired and lonely due to the fact Vivi wasn't coming along. However one last surprise came along from all this, the former vice president of Baroque Works, Miss All Sunday, had stowed away onboard the Going Merry. Having meet her before leaving Whiskey Peak and identifying her as a past enemy, the crew didn't know what to do. The woman, whose real name was Nico Robin, suprisingly asked to join the crew due to actions done by Luffy. This Luffy accepted and the Going Merry gained another occupant from this series of events involving Baroque Works.

Adventure in Sky Island
After the events with Baroque Works, the Going Merry and its crew shortly experienced an incredibly sight. A ship fell out of the sky. This ship, later identified to be the Saint Bliss, apparently came from a sky island called Skypiea. This island seemed quite impossible however it appeared to be next destination on the Log Pose. With this new senstion, Luffy decided to steer the Going Merry to Skypiea, however there was one slight problem. The Going Merry was not capable of going into sky. Unable to do anything, the ship was instead steered into direction of Jaya where the crew hoped to find some answers.

After several events in Jaya involving Bellamy the Hyena, the Going Merry was modified by the Saruyama Alliance into a flying mode. This new design of the ship was intended so that it can easily manuever the current of the Knock Up stream. This current was the only way the ship could reach its next destination. Guided by the South Bird and escorted by Shoujou's and Masira's ships, the Going Merry was taken to the spot where the Knock Up stream would occur. Once there the ship was catapualted into the sky by the current. The Going Merry literally flew then and there as it journeyed to the sky. After a momentous journey into the sky, the ship finally landed in the White Sea where its and the Straw Hats' adventures in the sky would begin.

After a brief encounter with a masked warrior and apparent knight errant, the Going Merry traveled across the White Sea towards Heaven's Gate. There the Going Merry was transported to the White White Sea by Speedy Shrimp. Once in the White White Sea, the Going Merry docked on the shores of Angel Island. Several events caused by the crew happened in Angel Island which ultimately led to the Going Merry to being carried off by a Super-Express speed shrimp deep into territory of Skypiea's God, Upper Yard. These series of events caused the Straw Hats left on Angel Island, Luffy, Sanji, and Usopp, to head out into Upper Yard to reclaim their ship and rescue their friends. As for the remaining Straw Hats onboard the Going Merry, as they couldn't do anything to the giant shrimp without falling victim to some pursueing Sky Sharks, they allowed the shrimp to carry the ship until it placed them upon a sacrificial altar surrounded by watery clouds. There they decided to explore the rest of Upper Yard, leaving Chopper to guard the Going Merry. While waiting for the others, Chopper encountered one of the priests of Skypiea, Shura the Sky Rider. The priest having no respect for the ship, lit the the ship's mast on fire. Desperately, Chopper broke the mast and threw it into the clouds in order to prevent the fire from spreading towards the rest of the ship. This seemed like a dangerous situation for the Going Merry however before the priest could continue his attack on it and its then sole defender, the knight errant, Gan Fall appeared to fight him off. The battle between this two however ended with Gan Fall being defeated and Chopper being thrown into the clouds surrounding the altar. Fortunately, the Going Merry wasn't further harassed by the priest as he then called at that moment to be somewhere else. The Going Merry, there and then, would remain on the altar in its damaged state until the rest of the Straw Hats returned.

After the entire crew rejoined one another and celebrated a party with some wolves, something mysterious happened to the Going Merry. While the rest of crew were asleep, Usopp went off to relieve himself. As he finishes off doing his bussiness, he sees someone apparently repairing the ship. Wondering who it might be, Usopp tried to get a better look at the person. Suddenly without warning, the person then looked at Usopp with nothing but smiling featureless face. Horrified by the sight, Usopp wakes the rest of crew to alert them to what he thinks is a ghost. Seeing no one near the ship, the rest of the crew dismisses Usopp's claims as nothing more as his imagination and go back to sleep. The next morning however, the crew awake to a surprising sight. The Going Merry, though not perfectly, was apparently repaired by someone overnight. This was very surprising as most of them knew for sure no one else was up repairing the ship. What was more surprising was that the one who repaired the ship, restored it to its non-flying mode. This was a design that only the crew themselves knew since entering Skypiea. Regardless who repaired it, the crew decided to press forward on their adventure in Skypiea.

After using a Sky Shark to drag the Going Merry off the altar, it was decided that the Going Merry would be steered to the southern part of Upper Yard. The crew had decided to split up into two teams and that there they would meet up again after getting the gold. However things didn't go off as planned when the Going Merry sat off. Eneru, the self proclaimed God of Skypiea, appeared on the ship and took out Sanji and Usopp. Later the ship was turned into a battleground for Nami and Gan Fall against Satori's triplet brothers, Hotori and Kotori. The battle was won by the former. After several events, the ship was left in the protection of Conis then later her fox, Suu. Throughout the terror that Eneru that brought about with his plan to destroy Skypiea, the ship swayed uneasily against the waves of clouds that were created. It stayed there on that spot for some time, even after the final battle between Eneru and Luffy, until its crew returned to it with bags of gold they supposedly "stole" from Skypiea.

After all the excitement in Skypiea, the Going Merry was steered into the direction of Cloud's End. There, the Going Merry and its crew left Skypiea with the aid of a Balloon Octopus and a horde of gold. It then safely returned to the Blue Sea down below to continue its voyages.

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 Going 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.