Everyone can be proud as we look back at the accomplishments of the Ernestina partners during 2011.  DCR  addressed immediate Coast Guard requirements and commissioned a full report and estimate of additional work that will be required.  DCR also provided a seasonal interpreter at the Visitor’s Center during the summer.

The Commission welcomed three new members and assured safekeeping of the ship’s historic materials with the official transfer of the Ernestina/Effie M. Morrissey Archives to the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth’s  Claire T. Carney Library Archives and Special Collections.  The Commission is working on Memorandums of Understanding with SEMA and with DCR, and the Commission Programming committee conducted outreach at various festivals.

SEMA has continued reaching out to tell Ernestina’s story through the website and Updates.  2011 saw ongoing fundraising by SEMA and support of the Programming committee’s activities by providing volunteers and logistic and material support.

The Forum held in October 2010 helped point the way for 2011.  We look forward to 2012 showing even more progress toward preparing Ernestina to serve the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as she should!

This article from Scouting Magazine 2001 just surfaced thanks to the family of Scoutmaster Joe Leavens of Troop 182.  This kind of trip is one of the reasons SEMA is working to get Ernestina sailing again and serving the Commonwealth as she has in the past.

The original article has many great photos.

Were you on this voyage?  Please contact us!

Mystery Voyage to Yesterday

Yes, it IS a Happy New Year!

THANKS to YOU!

Many Ernestina supporters rose to Bob’s challenge and in one short month we have raised over $14,000!   SEMA is looking forward to 2012 surpassing 2011 in progress toward getting Ernestina sailing again.    We will begin formulating a major fundraising campaign in anticipation of the estimates being prepared by Shipwright Leon Poindexter.   The work needed has been specified by Coast Guard requirements,  surveys by Captain Paul Haley, and thorough inspections by a naval architect and a marine engineer.  The final reports and estimates will be presented to the Schooner Ernestina Commission soon.

If you have fundraising experience and would like to help please CONTACT us.

On Friday December 9, 2011 Ernestina’s masts were removed from the ship and secured on State Pier for inspection, maintenance and repairs.  Shipwright Leon Poindexter is supervising the work and estimation process.  Tom Lopes produced a video of the process available on YouTube.

Marty Casey releases the back stay.

while Steve Kirk prepares the rig and attaches the strap to the main mast.

and secures the crane's cable to the straps

Once Steve is on the deck, he and Fred Sterner loosen the starboard shroud lanyards while Leon Poindexter works on the port.

Below deck, Willi Bank sledge hammers the mast wedges up so Steve can remove them.

While the mast wedges are being removed, Marty and Leon lash the shrouds and back stay to the main mast.

Dennis Hudon from N.C. Hudon makes a last check.

N.C. Hudon, Inc. Crane company has raised Ernestina’s masts in the past too.

When all is set, the mast is lifted from the ship.

and swung over the floating dock to State Pier.

Until it is suspended near the blocking it will rest on.

Straps on the bottom of the mast are used by the forklift to maneuver the butt of the mast into position

and the mast is lowered onto the blocks.

The crew made sure the rigging was clear of the mast as it was lowered.

and the cross trees and trestle trees were lined up to clear the supports.

the coins or impressions are visible on the heel of the mast.

These coins were placed under the masts when they were stepped April 29, 2003 Follow the link and scroll down for photos of the coins.

The coins were placed there on April 29, 2003 when the masts were last stepped.

Why?  Tradition.

The main mast cross trees and trestle trees will need replacing.

Once the main mast was set the crew started on the foremast. Here Willi loosens the jib stay shackle pin.

While Steve secured the strap and cable.

Steve and Willi managed to free the jib stay

Leon, Fred and Marty began to loosen the shroud lanyards.

A reminder to always secure your tools.

But the fore stay was even more stubborn than the jib stay.

but with Willi on the 24" wrench and Steve on the sledge hammer ...

the shackle pin finally released and Steve could release the come along.

Once the fore stay was free ...

the fore shrouds and stays were lashed to the mast.

The mast started up, but there was a problem ...

The bands on the foremast

were too big for opening in the mast partners left in the new deck

and the bands had to be removed

before the mast could be lifted free.

and the mast was swung to the pier.

Once again straps were secured to the mast so the forklift could maneuver

and the foremast was brought to the blocks

Videographer Tom Lopes documented the process

It was a tight fit but soon the mast was set in place.

and the crane was on it's way before lunch.

As suspected the foremast is seriously rotted.

This white pine mast was shaped and raised in 1994.

As is the forward cross tree of the main mast

Some of the coins did not stick to the masts and were found in the base of the mast step.

The foremast had coins too.

Now that the masts are out work has begun on raising the winter cover.  As you can see from this photo from December 20 DCR Carpenter Manny Silva has the rails ready.

Commissioner Laura Pires Hester passed along this greeting to all Ernestina supporters.  The card features Ernestina!

Friday morning dawned cold and clear but more more importantly, calm.  The crane from N.C. Hudon, Inc.  arrived promptly at 7:30.

Shipwright Leon Poindexter’s crew was ready. A sling was put on each mast in turn and the rigging was detached from Ernestina then the masts were expertly lifted from the ship and placed on blocking on State Pier.

The shrouds were secured to the masts and the crew was done by lunch.

The masts and rigging will be evaluated and maintenance and repairs will be made.  The hardware will be removed from the foremast and readied for the new mast on order.  The SouthCoastToday posted an article.  Check later for more pictures of the process.

The Schooner Ernestina Commission should have 9 commissioners.  The enabling legislation specifies qualifications for the appointments.  There will be an open seat soon and the appointee “shall be any person whose expertise would be an asset to the commission and the Schooner Ernestina or have particular expertise in the Cape Verdean history as it relates to said schooner, or history of said ship as the Effie M. Morrissey.

It is up to the Commission to consider who to propose to the Governor’s office through DCR.  Anyone who is interested in serving should submit a letter interest along with a resume and a statement of their involvement with and their interest in Ernestina and their qualifications to serve on the Commission to Jen Nersesian at the National Park Office  33 William St New Bedford, MA 02740.

The candidate needs to be someone who can attend Commission meetings as Massachusetts regulations require actual presence at the meeting to make a quorum.  Meetings are usually held monthly in New Bedford on a Friday afternoon.

Stop by the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitors’ Center during AHA! for the latest news about Ernestina.   Meet the new Commissioners Fred Sterner and Gene Monteiro.  Check out the display describing the latest haul out and a report on the December 2 Commission meeting.   Talk with Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association directors and volunteers about WHAT’S NEXT and how you can help!

Find out how to support Ernestina and finish your holiday shopping with Ernestina t-shirts and hats.

5-9 pm.  See  you there!