Gloucester and Schooners

Effie M. Morrissey first set sail from Gloucester for the Grand Banks on March 14, 1894.  A century ago she brought her catches into this port.  In 1982, as Ernestina, she was returned to Massachusetts,  a gift from the Republic of Cape Verde.   On Labor Day weekend (September 2-5)  Gloucester celebrates its 27th Annual Schooner Festival.  Ernestina provides an opportunity to tell the story of the fishing schooners that sailed from Gloucester and this important part Massachusetts’ history.  Ernestina can also tell the story of today’s fishermen as they struggle with some of the same challenges that those dory men faced and with the new challenges that those men could never have imagined so long ago.  Stop by the Ernestina booth to chat about fishing or Arctic exploration or the years of carrying cargo and passengers to and from Cape Verde or perhaps Ernestina’s more recent sail training years.  Even better:  Please consider volunteering to spend one or two hours with us at the Ernestina Booth at the Gloucester Schooner Festival Heritage Day Saturday, Sept 3 from 10:00 am-5:00 pm.  CONTACT coordinator Stephen Gaun to volunteer.  See you there!