It was a perfect day of sailing on an Essex-built schooner in Gloucester.

Schooner Adventure hosted a group of Ernestina-Morrissey supporters who enjoyed a fantastic sunset sail with the very best conditions. They included representatives of several of the vessel’s lives: Clayton Morrissey, grandson of Effie M. Morrissey‘s 1895 captain, joined us with his daughter and her husband. Laura Pires-Hester and Julius Britto who worked on the repatriation from Cape Verde from the late 1970′s until 1982 when the vessel, then Ernestina, was presented as a gift from Cape Verde, received by the state of Massachusetts.  Laura joined the Schooner Ernestina Commission in 2007 and served as chair for several years while the plans for the vessel’s  future were being made. Julius is currently the President of SEMA. Members of the Education years’ (post 1982) crew were aboard too, and DCR staff that have worked hard to return the now Ernestina-Morrissey to sailing and serving the Commonwealth. And Ernestina-Morrissey‘s future was represented by her current captain, Tiffany Krihwan.

The money raised will go toward buying Ernestina-Morrissey‘s new Fisherman’s Staysail dedicated to Cape Ann.

Thank you to Polly Zajac for the terrific organizing of everything! the sail, the catering and sign-up.

And thank you to Captain Wheeler and the great crew of the Schooner Adventure!

As they say a picture is worth 1,000 words so enjoy these:

Safety talk from Adventure's crew before embarking.

Ernestina-Morrissey Captain Tiffany Krihwan meeting Clayton Morrissey, 1895 Effie M. Morrissey's Captain's grandson. On the right, John Andrew and Ann Morrissey Andrew, Clayton's daughter.

Ready to raise the peak of the foresail

Working together, hauling up the foresail

As the crew hauls the lines, the mate makes sure all is well aloft with the gaff and lines..

Furling the main in the glow of the setting sun.

Sunset over Fort Point, Gloucester. A perfect end to a wonderful sail!

The 20th anniversary of 9/11 was on our minds too. Gloucester Marine Railways on Rocky Neck recognized the day by displaying the Flag with their crane. Adventure was being restored in 2001 and Ernestina was completing a transit from Norwalk CT and was dockside in New Bedford.

All the photos can be found in SEMA’s Flickr

Thank you, Bristol Marine, for sharing the latest news of the great work your crew is accomplishing during the pre-launch fitting out of Ernestina~Morrissey! And thank you to Robert Mitchell of Mitchell Photography for the great photos!  In the attached series of photos, you will see progress on the restoration of the Ernestina~Morrissey at Bristol Marine’s Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor.  Currently, all work on the Ernestina~Morrissey at the Shipyard is being funded through the generosity of the Lenfest Family.

Spar construction begins this week!

1. Aft Cabin + Nav Desk

The Aft Cabin is looking terrific! The crew have done an incredible job of building out this space to reflect the layout and spirit of her past. Oak, Cypress, and Mahogany all complimenting each other with a bright finish!

2. Aft Cabin + Officer’s Mess

This is another view of the Aft Cabin looking towards the Starboard aft corner where a mess table and storage cabinet have been installed.

3. Clean Deck

Looking like a ship ready for action! Notice all the bright white dorade cowls built by Frank Luke in East Boothbay. We are excited to see rigging begin in the coming months.

4. Complete Plumbing System

The engine room is chock full of plumbing systems, manifolds, and tanks. This image shows the majority of this work, nicely arranged and secured to the bulkhead. Fuel plumbing is colored yellow in accordance with USCG regulations. Large diameter bronze plumbing is designated to our Fire Suppression and Dewatering systems. The grey CPVC is USCG certified for fresh water systems.

5. Foredeck + Propane Box and Charlie Noble

All components here, with the exception of the Propane Box, have been refurbished as opposed to being replaced. Looking like new after some careful attention and thoughtful rehab.

The black “Charlie Noble” is the stove pipe to vent the cook stove.  This replacement was constructed by students at New Bedford Regional-Vocational Technical School in 2014.  Read more about their work HERE.

6. Main Cabin (Fish Hold)

The Main Cabin of the ship is looking quite welcoming these days. All furniture installations are complete, including the primary Mess Table. Notice the ship's library along the centerline bulkhead.

7. New Cooking Stove

What a beautiful piece of equipment! The Viking Series 7 Range has been installed in the Galley complete with a custom fireproof metal bulkhead to protect the forward scuttle. We are all very impressed with how well this fits in the space.

You can easily access all our past posts about the Ernestina~Morrissey rehabilitation project HERE.

If you would like to help, just click the yellow DONATE button at the right.

Sail aboard Schooner Adventure to benefit Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey!

SUNSET SAIL – Saturday, September 11, 2021, 4:00 – 7:00 pm

Join us in scenic Gloucester, Massachusetts aboard Schooner Adventure for a 3-hour sunset cruise to benefit Schooner Ernestina Morrissey.  All proceeds will be used to

Here is the Fisherman flying during the 2001 Gloucester Schooner Race which Ernestina won!

purchase the new Fisherman staysail for Ernestina-Morrissey. Light hors d’oeuvres and clam chowder will be served.  The sail will depart from Maritime Gloucester dock, 23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester, MA. Details will be sent with your boarding pass.  Tickets are limited to 50 passengers and are $100.

Online payment is preferred, by PayPal (use the PayPal link provided on the form) or by Venmo. Use the form  HERE. Be sure to click SUBMIT at the end of the form.

Details will be sent to you with your boarding pass.

Schooner Adventure

Schooner Adventure is one of Ernestina-Morrissey‘s Essex, MA sisters.   Effie M. Morrissey was launched from Essex 32 years earlier and, no longer fishing from Gloucester, was heading to the Arctic when Adventure was launched in 1926.  Adventure fished until 1953 and was the last American dory fishing trawler left in the Atlantic. When Adventure arrived back in Gloucester in 1988 she needed restoration and refitting to qualify for US Coast Guard certification.  Ernestina came to Gloucester to hold fundraising sails for Adventure.  Captain Stefan Edick offered to return the favor for “the Morrissey” and we will set sail at 4 pm on Saturday, September 11.  Thank you Schooner Adventure!

photo credit northofboston.org

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Join us for a beautiful Sunset Cruise and support Ernestina-Morrissey!

See www.ernestina.org for details.

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Don’t wait!  Tickets are limited!

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SouthCoast friends of Ernestina-Morrissey will have an opportunity to meet Captain Tiffany Krihwan, Ernestina-Morrissey‘s new captain, hosted by the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and  SEMA.

6:30 -7:30 pm, Thursday, September 16, 2021

Weather permitting, we will meet outside in the Garden for introductions, a short talk, and a Q&A,

followed by a short reception with refreshments and conversation.

In case of inclement weather, we will gather in the Maker Space in the Corson Building.

The National Park Service is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, access to New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is as follows:

COVID-19 Mask Requirement

Consistent with CDC guidance regarding areas of substantial or high transmission, visitors to New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask inside all park buildings.

It’s time for ALL Ernestina-Morrissey folks to start gathering again!

It will be great to see everyone again!

Thank you, Bristol Marine, for sharing the latest news of the great work your crew is accomplishing during the pre-launch fitting out of Ernestina~Morrissey! And thank you to Robert Mitchell of Mitchell Photography for the great photos!  In the attached series of photos, you will see progress on the restoration of the Ernestina~Morrissey at Bristol Marine’s Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor.  Currently, all work on the Ernestina~Morrissey at the Shipyard is being funded through the generosity of the Lenfest Family.

Main Cabin Flooring

Sam Perkins has been working hard to finish the installation of the Douglas fir finished flooring in the Main Cabin (Fish Hold). Once complete he will begin trimming for the lift-out-panels that will provide access to plumbing, tanks, and bilge storage areas

Dorade Boxes

Jason Brassard is busy scribing the new dorade boxes to the deck in front of the Main Cabin Housetop. These boxes will help maintain ventilation in the space all while keeping water from dripping into the interior.

Fuel Filters

This image shows a very nice installation of Racor fuel filters for the starboard side generator. All filter systems for each engine have now been installed and will be plumbed to each engine in the coming days

Galley Cabinetry

Installed above the starboard galley counter are a very nice set of custom cabinets ready for hardware and final fitting. The fit and finish of all fine carpentry on board is terrific. This is just another great example of how details make all the difference.

Main Cabin Shower

The head enclosure and shower stall are being installed this week. You can see the shower pan and plumbing all in place awaiting a waterproof liner that will finish the space. Toilets, and bath fittings are set to be installed over the summer.

Milling

David Thorpe and David Short are hard at work in our beautiful carpentry shop. Processing material from rough sawn lumber to finished installations is an important aspect of this project and requires a full set of quality tooling to handle the volume. The Ernestina~Morrissey is lucky to have high quality facilities to pair with talented shipwrights.

You can easily access all our past posts about the Ernestina~Morrissey rehabilitation project HERE.

If you would like to help just click the yellow DONATE button at the right.

Ernestina-Morrissey’s Crew

Ernestina-Morrissey has a diverse crew of supporters.  They represent all the parts of her amazing life and they are all looking forward to the next chapter, welcoming The Maritime Watch on deck!

There are folks, whether by family or geography, that know her best as Effie M.Morrissey.  The Cape Ann Watch, some from ship builder and fishing families, feel the strongest ties to her Grand Banks days over 100 years ago! From Nova Scotia and across the United States supporters reach out to SEMA.  Then there is The Bartlett Watch, with connections to the years in the Arctic, when Newfoundlander Captain Robert A. Bartlett took “My Little Morrissey” north for 20 summers with scientists and young men exploring the northern waters and then serving in World War II.

There are folks that know her best as Ernestina, renamed when she became a Cape Verdean packet under Henrique Mendes’ command. For 20 years she carried cargo and passengers on trans-Atlantic voyages from Cape Verde to Southern New England. In 1975, the new Republic of Cape Verde, resolved to return the Ernestina ex Effie M. Morrissey to the United States as a gift. Cape Verdean-Americans cheered as Massachusetts received that gift in 1982.

Since 1982 The Cape Verde Watch has continued to support Ernestina,

joined by a diverse Homeport New Bedford Watch. They and their families had

A bright future for Ernestina-Morrissey!

transformative experiences aboard Ernestina as the crew conducted a variety of educational programs for thousands while sailing out of New Bedford.  They look forward to a bright future for Ernestina-Morrissey when she returns to her official educational mission and to Homeport~New Bedford.

Today, with the signed Act to Preserve the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey in force, Massachusetts Maritime Academy will continue the renamed Ernestina-Morrissey’s educational mission. The Maritime Watch will join the other watches that represent the amazing history of this vessel that we all love!  SEMA looks forward to seeing everyone in this Ernestina-Morrissey Crew of diverse supporters working together toward a shining future for Ernestina-Morrissey at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

Hurrah! Effie M. Morrissey ~    Viva! Ernestina ~ Hooray! Ernestina-Morrissey

Massachusetts Maritime Academy will continue the renamed Ernestina-Morrissey’s educational mission. The Maritime Watch will join the other watches that represent the amazing history of this vessel that we all love!

What a great introduction to the Ernestina~Morrissey was presented to the MMA Alumni  in the latest issue of The Bulletin, Massachusetts Maritime Academy Alumni magazine. SEMA thanks The Bulletin for the mention of our “All hands to the halyards”, campaign.

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We welcome you to to the Ernestina-Morrissey’s crew!

The $50,000 Goal is in Sight!!!  More than $48,807 already raised!!!

September 30 was your last chance to donate to Ernestina Sailing Forward with the  GoFundMe portal . We will gladly accept your check or online donation to complete our pledge of raising $50,000 to purchase the new mainsail,

ESF only has $1,193 left to raise, won’t you help meet the goal!

Donate online (recomended) by PayPal HERE

If you prefer to pay by check, put “for the Mainsail” on the memo line and send to SEMA, PO Box 2995, New Bedford, MA 02741 with your mailing address and a note “for Ernestina Sailing Forward”.  If you have a special connection to Ernestina we’d love to know that too!

This pen, made of African hardwood, part of Ernestina's framing for 40 years, commemorates the gift. (watch the video)

Click to watch a terrific video celebrating the Repatriation in 1982 produced by Richardo and Alessandro Lopes, Voyage Digital Media.

~~~~ ESF is SO CLOSE to the goal!  Help us get to the finish line! Donate today!

In 1982 the people of Cape Verde sent a restored Ernestina ex Effie M. Morrissey back to Massachusetts as a gift to the people of the United States. Forty years later in 2022, Ernestina-Morrissey will once again visit ports along the coastline. Let’s “Raise the Mainsail!” for that trip as she sails from port to port carrying her history!

The Ernestina Sailing Forward Committee is asking for your donations and community support as we raise $50,000 for the purchase of the mainsail for the Ernestina-Morrissey. Now with her restoration nearing completion, Ernestina will again sail open waters in late 2021.

This pen, made of African hardwood, part of Ernestina's framing for 40 years, commemorates that gift.

A drawing, live on Zoom, was held on June 8th to announce the winners of 5 specially engraved African hardwood pens* (photo above).  The pens are from the wood that was used in the 1982 restoration of Ernestina.*   The winners were  Stephan Platzer, Edward Jackson, Catherine Dempsey, Jean Gifford and Stephen Baptiste. Congratulations! And thank you for your donations. Your pens will be in the mail soon. Stay tuned for a special sale of a small number of remaining pens.

~~~ There is less than $2,000 left to raise!  ~~~

Help  “Raise the Main” today!

You can donate as an individual, a family, an organization, a club, or anonymously to the Ernestina Sailing Forward Fund. 100% of your donation will go directly to Ernestina-Morrissey‘s sails, any financial fees will be paid by SEMA.  Any donation amount makes a difference in Raising the Sails on Our Tallest of Tall Ships as we get underway on a fully restored Ernestina-Morrissey impacting many generations to come and honoring our beloved Cape Verdean heritage.

Please donate HERE!

If you prefer to donate by mail please download THIS FORM (If you want you can make a dedication for your donation on the form.) Please indicate your donation is for the mainsail and mail to:

SEMA~Ernestina Sailing Forward

P.O. Box 2995

New Bedford, MA 02741

(Be sure to watch the wonderful video produced by Rick and Alessandro Lopes!)

The Hildreth-Stewart Charitable Foundation has donated $15.000 toward the mainsail! Bob Hildreth sent along this message:

Bob Hildreth ~ 2019 visit to the Shipyard

America owes a lot to Cape Verdeans who brought the Ernestina to America after its long history in the islands. It would be wonderful if the Cape Verdeans could remember their proud heritage by helping to raise the sails again of the Ernestina. Contribute to the campaign with any amount you can. And sail on the ship next year. The ship is owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. But its history belongs to you.

*For more information about the African hardwood follow this LINK.

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Many donors have made a dedication any you can too. Memorial and Honors

Act Now! Viva Ernestina! Obrigado!

“ALL HANDS TO THE HALYARDS”

It is exciting to hear that Ernestina-Morrissey will be sailing soon! We will hear the call, “All hands to the halyards”, the order to get ready to raise the sails! Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association has committed to raising the funds for the new sails and we need “all hands” to help!

Ernestina-Morrissey needs to SAIL again! Photo Credit: Fred Leblanc

If you or your organization would be interested in sponsoring the cost of an individual sail please contact Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association at sails@ernestina.org for details.

There are eight sails and two groups and two individuals have pledged to sponsor four of them!

A group, Ernestina Sailing Forward has  committed to sponsoring the mainsail.  Check the announcement HERE.

We are receiving donations from all the watches #CapeAnnWatch, #BartletWatch, #CapeVerdeWatch  (Ernestina Sailing Forward~ESF), #HomeportNB Watch and #MaritimeWatch! What a great Crew Ernestina~Morrissey has!

Every donation is welcome, you too can help raise the sails, just click the yellow Donate button in the column on the top right.  You can join one of the groups above or just indicate which Watch of Ernestina~Morrissey‘s crew you want to represent when you make your donation!  A diverse crew pulling together will Raise the Sails and see Ernestina~Morrissey sailing to a bright future!

Every hand that “steps to” will receive recognition and a sponsor of a sail will have their name or the organization’s name, suitably commemorated by display on a plaque.

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Hooray for Ernestina-Morrissey!

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If you are looking for new, up to date Progress reports, they are HERE

Thank you, Bristol Marine, for sharing the latest news of the great work your crew is accomplishing during the pre-launch fitting out of Ernestina-Morrissey!  In the attached series of photos, you will see progress on the restoration of the Ernestina-Morrissey at Bristol Marine’s Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor.  Currently, all work on the Ernestina-Morrissey at the Shipyard is being funded through the generosity of the Lenfest Family.

1. Engine Room Exhaust

We recently saw the installation of an 11" electric ducting exhaust fan in the engine room. This fan is located just below the starboard side ventilation box, and is designed to help pull a sufficient amount of air through the engine room for the engines in that space to operate properly. This is a high-quality component that looks very nice alongside all the other quality components being installed in the ship.

2. Foc’sle Head

While our plumbing team has moved into the main cabin, our carpenters have been able to revisit the Foc'sle space and continue with accommodation installations. This head cabinet is beginning to take shape. The door for this head is built and currently being painted. Very soon we will see the vanity, sink, and toilet being installed.

3.Galley Counter

Like the head space, our carpentry team was forced to slow progress in areas of the Foc'sle while the plumbers did their work. The galley space is now back on line as David Short has returned to the more intricate custom countertop and cupboard installation. This week we are expecting to see the galley sink fitted in this assembly as we get closer and closer to a complete cabin.

4. Main Cabin Accomodation

This image shows progress on multiple aspects of the project. Along the fore and aft stringer you can see wastewater drainage plumbing integrated into the bunk structure. The crew has been communicating and working well together as installations are overlapping more and more. Coordination is critical to this final push through the ship to complete the interior and more attention to details like this will help us achieve our goals on time.

5. Main Cabin Plumbing

There is no such thing as a simple installation on a ship. Every component going into this vessel is custom designed and often takes creative installation methods to fit and work properly. The plumbing system is a great example of this. This one image of a relatively minor aspect of the waste water plumbing system shows 28 different connections and 8 different types of components in order to make the system work properly through this particular space.

6. New Generators

This image shows one of a pair of new Onan 17kw gensets sitting in position inside the ship. Both generators have been lowered into place and will be receiving a final fit before being secured this week. We are excited to see the engine room finally living up to its name.