Ernestina~Morrissey’s Crew

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