Homeport New Bedford – Let’s Raise the Foresail!

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association

Ernestina outbound from New Bedford, credit R. Morin

This photo was taken in the early 2000’s by Roger Morin. Ernestina is passing Palmers Island Light outbound, as she approached the Hurricane Barrier. How many times has she passed through those gates since 1982? Imagine the excitement when Ernestina~Morrissey passes through them once again with her sails raised high! Schooner Ernestina~Morrissey Association (SEMA) is reaching out to the community of Ernestina~Morrissey supporters for pledges towards the purchase of new sails and rigging.

The Ernestina~Morrissey Crew has several diverse watches.  A group, #HomeportNB, has pledged to raise the funds for the foresail joining the group “Ernestina Sailing Forward” that has pledged to raise the funds for the mainsail.

#HomeportNB invites anyone who has known Ernestina~Morrissey since 1982 to join this effort by  DONATING HERE!

Join #HomeportNB as we raise $25,000 to raise the foresail and you will be be part of the celebration in Ernestina-Morrissey’s homeport when she arrives at New Bedford State Pier!

DONATE TODAY!

#HomeportNB

Thank you to our Donors!

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Thank you, Vineyard Wind! Powered by the wind, just as Ernestina-Morrissey will be powered by the wind in her new fore sail purchased with the help of your grant!

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Annie and Rick McDowell donated in memory of four friends of Ernestina, Mary Walsh, Anna Pax and Bill and Irene Morin.  “They all would be very impressed with the work going on.” and excited to know she would be returning to New Bedford soon!

Mary Walsh ~ Gloucester Schooner Race ~  1999

Anna Pax ~ "The Mayor of State Pier" ~ She was always ready to lend a hand!

Bill and Irene Morin

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The New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year! They have been supporting Ernestina-Morrissey with their voices for two decades and now they are helping Raise the Sails!

New Bedford Sea Chantey Chorus at NB Custom House Park

Louise and Paul Anthony

Mary Anne McQuillan

Chuck Smiler

Jim and Cindy Bean

David Whittaker

Michael Pol

Polly Zajac

Eva Reed

James Anderson

Amy Woods

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Captain John L. Weeks Jr. at the helm of his 50-foot Alden schooner, Heron

In memory of Captain John L. Weeks Jr. of New Bedford who loved schooners, by Joanna and Loring Weeks. Captain Weeks was a professional schooner captain, earned the nickname “Hurricane John” through a couple of brushes with major storms. During the Great Hurricane of ’38, while trying to safeguard his employer’s yacht, he and the ship were carried on the storm surge over the Padanaram Bridge in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and grounded on the mudflats without harm. When the Hurricane of ’54 hit, he chose to ride out the storm alone aboard the 64-foot schooner Keewatin off Edgartown. When the storm abated, he sailed back to Padanaram Harbor, and, observing the wreckage, wryly said, “Looks like I missed a hell of a party.”

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Meg Graustein helping a student learn to handle the helm.

Thank you to our very first donor, Meg Graustein for your $500 donation!

Fred Sterner ~ Mate

In addition to his $500 donation, Fred has challenged his shipmates. He donated an additional $50 for each of the next 10 donations to #HomeportNB.

Meeting the Challenge: Richard Wing, Melinda Ailes, Lisa Goodwin, Kurt Voss, Robert and Judi Sterns,  Teresa L. Cavanagh. Liz Maloney, Jessica Harris, John Hurley, Peter MacLearn

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Thank you, Shipmates!  In addition to your donation, you added $500.00 to the funds for the foresail!

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Chris, Tracey, Polly, Tom, Jeff, Z, Amanda

Tracey Saltus

Tim Walker

Harold W. Eckert

Victor Mailey and Bettina Borders

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