Memorials and Honors ~ Ernestina Sailing Forward

~Memorials and Honors ~

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

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Laura Pires-Hester sent this dedication with her additional donation “This donation is to acknowledge the hundreds and hundreds of women and men and young people, and public and private organizations–not only here but abroad–who have played a part in bringing our beloved Ernestina-Morrissey to this exciting point. I want to celebrate their perseverance and love for this 120-years-old unique 120-year-old vessel and to say “Godspeed” to her wonderful future.”

A donation from Stephan Platzer in honor of his fellow Cape Verdean and American crew members, under the leadership of Captain Marcos Lopes, who made the repatriation voyage in 1982 entirely under sail.

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Mrs. Albertina Mendes sent a donation in Memory of her husband  Joseph “Djedje” Mendes.                     (3/27/1918 – 6/6/2006)

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Joseph Caesar Cardozo

A donation from TERRI CARDOZO & FAMILY in memory of Joseph Caesar Cardozo, who served as Director of Programs and Development for the Schooner Ernestina organization.

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John G. Buddy Andrade would like to recognize his mother Jeanette Barros Andrade Barboza for her many years of continued love and support for the Ernestina Story, she can’t wait to get onboard again. Also in Memory of my Grandparents John and Alice Barros, John G. and Mary O. Andrade Sr. and In Memory of Father John G. Sonny Andrade Jr.

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

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.

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A donation sent by Laura Pires-Hester with her thanks and appreciation to our late dear friend “Tommy” Lopes, for his many contributions to the community and especially for his leading the legislative sponsorship and creation of the Schooner Ernestina Commission in 1978 while he was a MA State Representative.  He was well-known throughout the southeast New England area, and was a strong advocate for so many important social justice issues.  He used his voice and his newspaper to help connect Cape Verdeans nationally and globally, and he was a faithful supporter and friend of the Ernestina movement.  We miss that voice, and I miss him dearly….

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A donation sent by Laura Pires-Hester with her thanks and appreciation to Michael Platzer, former UNDP Program Officer for Cabo Verde, and a co-laborer in the early years of the Ernestina movement and critical in the discussions with Cape Verdean officials regarding the return and repatriation of Ernestina.  These early years were filled with ups and downs, but Michael was always optimistic and enthusiastic and convinced that we could bring this to pass.   He was fearless in his international work and continues his interests from his overseas home.  He had a deep love for Ernestina and her broad potential for education, community and youth development, and for what she could mean for generations to come.  He was a wonderful partner and his contributions –like that of so many, many others–were really important to bringing us to where we are today

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In Honor of Norman Gomes (left of the wheel) and Marcus Brunson by Colin Williams

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In memory of Sarafina Neves Britto Lopes and Manuel Joseph Lopes by Mannie Lopes and family

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In Memory of Adilino and Louise Mendes by Elaine (Mendes) Monteiro

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Giselle Hart for For Becca Hadik

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Dedication for Thomas L. Bird’s $1,000 donation:  In memory of Junius Bird who sailed as scientist on six voyages to the Arctic with Captain Robert A, Bartlett on the Effie M. Morrissey.

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Dedication by Laura Pires Hester for $1,000 donation to Ernestina Sailing Forward:  In loving memory of my late brother, John M. Pires, Jr., who loved all things maritime and looked forward to Ernestina’s return to New Bedford

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In memory of Francis X. Cabral by Heather Cabral

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In Memory of Fred Littleton, “Bartlett Boy”, who worked with “Friends of Ernestina” to return her to the U.S. in 1982 and worked with Ernestina Morrissey Historical Association after her return, by his son Clem Littleton.

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In Memory of my brother Robert W. Cruz by Carl J. Cruz

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Robert & Analina Mendes ~ “This is heritage! Glad to be able to contribute to the cause.”

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In Memory of Louise, Adalino, and Joe Mendes by Derek Stevens

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Our prayers are with this awesome project and in the words of Saint Paul; “unto him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we ask or think…” by Rev Dr Robert Gomes

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In memory of my beloved husband Frank Grace, WWII veteran, and one who loved Schooner Ernestina by Mary Pires Grace

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To Honor Antone and Corinne Monteiro by Gene Monteiro

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2000 ~ Schooner Ernestina Elly and David Rubin

David & Elly Rubin ~ Remembering our week aboard the Ernestina in 2000 as part of a UMass-Boston Environmental Studies program, and celebrating our 59th wedding anniversary, married on April 15, 1962. David this testimonial to us in 2018  HERE

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Dedication by John M. Pires III:  “In recognition of my aunt, Laura Pires-Hester, who has invested decades of time and effort in the difficult work required to bring the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey to its present success and beyond.

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Dedication for Vinny DeMacedo’s $1,000 donation: The deMacedo family is so grateful to those of you who have dedicated so many hours and years to make the restoration of this ship a reality. We hope to play a small role in the future. The ship symbolizes the passage to this great nation of so many Cape Verdeans.

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Dedication for Julius and Sandra Britto’s $1,000 donation: “The Varella family greatly honors their patriarch Bernadino Horta Varella for his courage and foresight. Arriving in Rochester, Massachusetts while on shore leave as a whaler; “Ben” purchased land in 1886, traveled back to Cape Verde and embarked again for America, this time arriving with his family aboard the Gloucester-built schooner “Notice” on August 5, 1902. His courage was fully displayed during their harrowing, two month, trans-Atlantic voyage when he helped save his wife Christina, their daughters Anna and Matilda, and his son-in-law Manuel Cabral, as chronicled in the New York Times report of that fateful journey.” ~~~also by Natalie Mendes and Christine Rose

to see all the donors visit THIS WEBSITE.