The holidays are upon us! How about the gift of music?

You can purchase “Lovely Ernestina”

by the New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus and the Rum Soaked Crooks on Amazon.com. Proceeds benefit Schooner Ernestina.

This is a very important election. Not just in Massachusetts. What happens in Washington, DC is important for Ernestina. The Massachusetts’ Legislature is important for Ernestina, and the Congress, House and Senate is important.

Consider Ernestina when you choose your candidate, no matter where you live!

All is well with Ernestina after the passage of Hurricane Sandy.   I wish I could say the same for the Bounty.  Many of Ernestina’s crew sailed on Bounty and know the missing captain, Robin Walbridge.

We all need to thank the Coast Guard for their work every day and especially for their heroic service off the Carolina coast that saved 14 lives.

Ernestina Commissioner Fred Sterner checked on Ernestina this morning. All is well

DCR staffer Paul removes extra dock lines that were set in anticipation of Sandy's arrival.

Preparations have begun to erect the winter cover.  That is the extra rail you see.

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The New Bedford Waterfront was “Working” all weekend as festival goers braved the damp weather to celebrate  the “real thing”, a working harbor and the oldest fishing vessel, the famous Arctic explorer, the beloved Cape Verdean packet and exciting sea-going educator.  Massachusetts Official Tall Ship, our own Ernestina ex. Effie M. Morrissey.

Ernestina volunteers and DCR’s Manny Silva welcomed over 600 people to tour the ship and enjoy the activities.

SEMA President Julius Britto answered questions and guided festival visitors to Ernestina from the information booth at Coast Guard Park.

Daisy Nell and Capt’n Stan visited on Saturday and shared stories and songs during WWF Story Time .  Daisy’s two new children’s books and the accompanying songs were a great hit.  The Stowaway Mouse and Rocky at the Dockside both feature Harold Burnham’s schooner Ardelle.

Our neighbors the Buzzards Bay Rowing Club introduced many to whale boat rowing.

Commissioner Fred Sterner showing the new foremast.  He also explained all the work to be done before the masts can be stepped and the rig can be raised.

On Sunday,  despite the damp weather,  WWF Story Time presented Meghan Lapp on deck.  Families joined Meghan as she read her children’s book Fast Friends about the Fire Island Ferries.

The Blessing of the Fleet was scheduled for Ernestina’s deck but the weather forced the ceremony inside the Ferry Terminal.   After the formal ceremony the Very Reverend Constantine S. Bebis  and the Very Reverend Monsignor Steven J. Avila boarded the New Bedford Fire Rescue boat to bless the ships around the harbor.

Sunday afternoon closed with a rousing presentation by the New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus.  The Chorus has carried the songs of Lovely Ernestina to many festivals across New England this summer.  Contact us if you would like to purchase a CD.  Proceeds benefit Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association, Inc.

We hope to see you next year at the 10th Annual Working Waterfront Festival!

The Working Waterfront Festival showcases the New Bedford waterfront Saturday September 29 and Sunday, September 30 and

Ernestina is in the center of the action.   The ship will be open for deck tours 11:00-3:00 each day.

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Children’s Authors Daisy Nell (Saturday) and Meghan Lapp (Sunday)

will be reading from their new books on the foredeck at 12 noon and 2:30

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and at 1 pm on Sunday the Blessing of the Fleet will be presented from Ernestina‘s deck.

This year’s theme is Fishtales: Fact, Fiction and Narrative Tradition

Stop by our booth at Coast Guard Park to sample some of Effie M. Morrissey/Ernestina amazing tales of fishing, exploration, voyaging and learning.

Tom Lopes at the 2010 Ernestina Forum with Supt. Celeste Bernardo. A rare photo, since he was so often the one behind the camera. Thanks to Frank Pina for the photo.

Ernestina has lost a tireless supporter.  In 1978, as Representative Tom Lopes, he was the primary sponsor for the legislation to create the original Ernestina Commission.  40 years later Tom Lopes, videographer extraordinaire, was still working to insure a good future for the ship.

Condolences to his family and everyone who loved him. He will be sorely missed.

On Friday, July 27 Ernestina‘s new foremast was delivered to New Bedford State Pier.  The mast was purchased by SEMA  and donated to the Ernestina Commission.  The mast donation was matched by DCR’s Partnership Matching Funds Program.

The mast is made from a Douglas fir and brought by truck from The Spar Shop at the Historic Seaport in Washington State. The timber was originally 85 feet long and four and a half feet across. After trimming and turning, the length was reduced to 84 feet and the mast now weighs in at over five tons.

Over the next few months, Department of Conservation and Recreation contractors will prepare the mast to be lifted onto the Schooner and fitted into place.

Ernestina friends and volunteers were on hand to welcome this step toward returning Ernestina to serving the Commonwealth as she has in the past.

William Smith and Julius Britto credit: Alice E Smith

“This was a good day for Ernestina. We are seeing a lot of positive things happening, and I feel very excited about what we can accomplish now,” said Julius Britto, President of SEMA.

Former New Bedford Mayor Scott Lang was there for the mast arrival, and showed his support for her restoration, “About six years ago, I said, ‘how goes the Ernestina goes New Bedford,’ so you’ve got me for life now because I made a commitment that this vessel is going to show the re-birth of the city.”

Scott Lang and Julius Britto credit: Alice E Smith

“We have some very generous angels right now who are putting their foot forward and saying ‘this is history we are not going to lose.’ I am very optimistic. I feel better about [Ernestina’s future] than I ever have before,” said Lang.

NPS Ranger Emily Prigot and Former Mayor Scott Lang celebrate! credit: Louise Croteau

Consider a donation to SEMA as we work to insure Ernestina will sail again.

Related posts:

Rig Inspection

Mast ordered

Rig Removed

Masts Down

 ALL HANDS ON DECK!! We need volunteers for AHA night this Thursday August 9^th from 4:30-8pm. The theme is Harbor Sounds. It is a well-publicized opportunity to showcase the Ernestina as a teaching vessel, to generate interest in future programs and to update the public on her progress, particularly the recent arrival of her mast.

Due to extensive supporter advice during Ernestina programming meetings and  public feedback at events, we are advertised as having an “open boat” during the festivities that includes “fish printing and topside tours of the Schooner Ernestina Deck with on-board education stations.” We are part of “Harbor Fun” along with steel band and sea chantey music, fireboat harbor tours, giving visitors a reason to brave the ongoing road construction. 

We have very few confirmed volunteers to implement this event. If you can help out, contact Elizabeth ASAP at 508-208-0676 or elizabeth.laver@gmail.com

The Schooner Ernestina Commission Programming Committee needs volunteers for various events this summer. Please contact Chuck Smiler or the listed coordinator if you would like to participate.

Help the Commission tell Ernestina-Morrissey‘s story this summer.