SCHOONER ERNESTINA-MORRISSEY, was built in 1894 at the James and Tarr Shipyard for the Gloucester fishing fleet. Under Captain Bob Bartlett she sailed to within 600 miles of the North Pole, and later brought immigrants to the U.S. under the power of sail. Returned to the US in 1982 as a gift from the newly independent Cape Verdean people, she sailed as an educator until 2005.

Monday August 29 at the Shipyard

Although the exact day Ernestina-Morrissey would be launched was not certain, a small celebration was held on August 29. An early-morning dedication is described in a recent post. Although there was no formal announcement word spread locally and a number of folks and the Boothbay Register were present.  The photos show the rest of the story.

SEMA President Julius Britto honoring all those who have supported this effort to see Ernestina sailing again! And thanking those who sent this water for use to celebrate with

Here SEMA Vice President, Bob Hildreth speaks the those assembled. John Bullard ,Julius Britto, SEMA President, and Andy Tyska, Bristol Marine President, also spoke.

Julius, Bob and John ready for the slide down the railway.

As the keel was just touching the water the progress down the railway stopped. Captain Krihwan, (red shirt) scans the water.

While everyone waited, the diver on standby was sent to inspect the rails.

The diver reported what was found.Ernestina-Morrissey was hauled back up the railway.

The shipyard crew would fix the problem at low tide in the evening when the tide was the lowest and try again on the 30th.

Ernestina-Morrissey, Re-dedicated, Prepares for Next Chapter

In January we announced a project which would allow folks to participate in the

The bottle of mingled waters on Ernestina’s newly-restored aft-cabin compass. With the taste of those waters and this compass the vessel will know where to go!

celebration of Ernestina-Morrissey launch no matter how distant they were. We asked them to collect water from oceans and seas, bays and ports, that represented the diversity of all of Ernestina-Morrissey’s history.  Containers of water came from near and far and are listed as they came in.  The water listed at the top of the post is the most recent.  When the first list got too long, we started another. The water will continue to be used in celebrations as Ernestina-Morrissey visits various ports.  We co-mingled all of those waters which were used to re-dedicate Ernestina-Morrissey when she was launched in August.

Early on the morning of August 29, 2022 Captain Tiffany Krihwan (with the water) and Chief Mate Susannah Winder (with the dedication), gathered on at the bow to begin the celebration of Ernestina-MorrisseyTHIS VIDEO lets them share the moment with you.  You may have to open the download in a new window.

Here is the text of the dedication:

Today is the beginning of a new life and adventure for the Ernestina-Morrissey, the 5th chapter in a remarkable story of missions and voyages. In her previous chapters as a Fishing Vessel, Arctic Exploration vessel, a trans-Atlantic and Inter- Island Cape Verdean Packet, and an Ocean Educator she has sailed on many Oceans, Seas, Bays and Sounds and into many harbors and anchorages. As a way of welcoming her back to the water The Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association invited people familiar with her travels to collect  water from the various areas where she has sailed. The response has been extraordinary as the list of places and people I can share with you here today, and which is on the SEMA website, shows. SEMA nearly 50 samples collected from near and far! A small sample from each place has been combined in this bottle to be poured upon her bow as she returns to her element.  Symbolically it’s a way for her past lives to welcome her to her new one.

With great gratitude to everyone who has participated, and to all whose financial support and shipbuilding and outfitting skills have gotten us to today it is my honor and pleasure to do so now.

Ernestina-Morrissey Is Launched!

From the crew:

View the TicTok video HERE.

We sea-ed the day here in Boothbay!
Today was the day! The shipyard successfully launched the Ernestine-Morrissey this afternoon with her floating free at 12:56pm on August 30th, 2022. This is a historic moment as we are now closer than ever to heading South!
As exciting as this launch is, we want to remind everyone that the work is not yet over and so the crew will still be very busy at the shipyard! So please stay tuned as we reach even more historic milestones!
~

The tide is high, the rail car carrying Ernestina-Morrissey is moving!

The keel is fully in and the stem is getting wet!

Ernestina-Morrissey fully afloat, the stern is being drawn in to the dock.

Tied to the dock showing her proud bowsprit!

Back in her element!

Ernestina-Morrissey Nears Completion

The exciting and positive letter below from Andy Tyska, President of Bristol Marine, describes the current status of the Ernestina-Morrissey project.

The complications Covid created for us all over the past two years also had a significant impact on the cost and timing of finishing the Ernestina-Morrissey project. Successfully responding to these challenges has required the collective collaboration, communication, and creativity of all the parties involved. By providing donations of in-kind labor, required materials, and equipment the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and the Shipyard have worked tirelessly to find ways to reduce the overall costs without compromising the quality of the project .

SEMA has reached out to previous supporters to fund the remaining costs. Thanks to the efforts described above, renewed support from the Hildreth-Stewart Foundation ($115,000), the H.F. Lenfest Foundation ($100,000), and Morley Crapo Hyde Eccles Fund of New Bedford ($85,000), and a Manton Foundation‘s $300,000 match of these three donations, the funding required to complete the project has been secured!

Soon the Ernestina-Morrissey, truly The Phoenix of the Seas, will indeed sail again!

~~~

July 19, 2022

Dear Supporters of the Ernestina-Morrissey,

Yesterday we reached a milestone at the Shipyard as the framework for the covered structure was removed from the rail car. Installed nearly seven years ago, under this cover thousands of hours have been spent by the world’s best shipwrights restoring the Ernestina-Morrissey.  The removal of the cover anticipates the installation of the newly crafted, historically correct masts and booms using wood from a tree that was a mere sapling when the Ernestina-Morrissey was launched in 1894.  The masts will be stepped next week, held in place with new meticulously spliced traditional standing rigging, and some of the most beautiful custom handcrafted metalwork on top of the mast will then be towering above the water below.

After the installation of the custom gold-plated bolt used to fasten the grounding dynaplate underwater, all hull penetrations will be complete and in six weeks we will launch the Ernestina-Morrissey.  The bolt is an example of the detail and level of customization found throughout the vessel, most which will go unnoticed, and unmatched in every other vessel of this type.  Much of what has gone into the ship cannot be bought, and must be made.  The individuals who have accomplished these tasks possess unique talent.

Thank you for your continued support to make the Ernestina-Morrissey sail again.

Sincerely,

Andy Tyska

Since we received Andy’s letter the work has continued. As of August 23, you can see below the bowsprit is now in place. In the next two weeks the rigging and mast will be raised and then launching will be scheduled.  (see posts below)

A Visit to the Shipyard

On Monday August 22 Mary Anne McQuillan and Fred Sterner visited Boothbay Harbor Shipyard to see the progress and deliver tee shirts to the crew. Since 2015 they have visited many times and it is wonderful to see her almost ready to go!

On Friday the crew posted a video walk-thru on their Facebook page HERE. If you can access Facebook.  Amazing to see the progress in just four days!

November 18, 2015

The structure for the cover is in place waiting for the cover. The aft deck is being removed.

August 22, 2022

New masts are stepped, the rigging is being tensioned and the blocks will be hung for the running rigging. The interior is being finished, work continues despite continuing "supply chain" issues.

Here are some random images that caught our attention:

The masts have been stepped and next is finishing the rigging.

The deadeyes are in place and the ratlines are next.

Chief Mate Susannah Winder and deckhand Jason splicing ratlines.

Access to the new drive train under the aft cabin sole.

Bowsprit. Red building #3 contains the machinery to run the railway.

The chains from Building #3 pull up and let down the car that carries Ernestina-Morrissey on the railway.

Ernestina-Morrissey will launch stern first. The car will be let down the railway which, during very low tides in early Spring, was been inspected and tuned up in preparation for the launch.

The crane lifted the heavy main boom onto the deck on mast stepping day.

The fore boom will be loaded later, the new hardware is being fastened to the spar.

The main gaff, with the jaws at the far end, the fore gaff and in the corner the club for the jumbo. All waiting for hardware.

One project that must be completed before launching is applying a fresh coat of bottom paint. The staging will make the job easier.

Meanwhile Captain Krihwan has assigned some of her crew to sand the bottom. They will do the painting too.

There is a lot of work going on in each of the holds. But you can see how the fo’c’s’le table looks now that the foremast is in place.

Folks familiar with the Ernestina's layout will notice the biggest change in the configuration of fish hold. Here's a new table.

Another change folks will notice is watertight doors between all the holds. This photo was taken from on deck so you only see the bottom half of the opening. This is between the fo'c's'le and the fish hold. The opening is ready but the doors haven't come yet.

As required, David Short is carving the documentation numbers into the main beam. This is the same number Effie M. Morrissey was given in 1894!

We checked the boat from top to the main mast bilge! The tape was to help guide the mast into the pocket in the step.

Ernestina-Morrissey is not ready yet but soon she will be sailing the waters of Buzzards Bay, proudly returning to her homeport, New Bedford! And in the Spring of 2023, sailing to Commonwealth ports and some of the other waters she has known. under the careful stewardship of Massachusetts Maritime Academy!

Ernestina-Morrissey’s Masts are Stepped!

The week of August 8, 2022 was rigging week for Ernestina-Morrissey! Tom Ward of Traditional Rigging, LLC and his crew have been working to fabricate the components of Ernestina-Morrissey‘s rig in their shop.  On Monday they “dressed” the masts. And on Tuesday the masts were raised by Cote Crane and Rigging’s crane and their skilled operators. As the masts were lowered (FYI: the main mast weighed 6900 pounds) the rigging crew, the shipyard crew and the Ernestina-Morrissey crew guided the tenon of the mast into the stepCheck this description and photo from Robert Mitchell, who has shared many photos with us for sharing with you during the last 7 years!

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words:

The spars are "dressed" with all the standing rigging, carefully gathered up ready to be deployed when the mast is in place.

Ready to lower the main mast.

The main mast being guided by the crew on deck as the crew below gives directions to line up the tenon to the mortice and set the mast into the step.

You can see the main mast already stepped and the crane operator has the fore nearly vertical and is ready to lift it up and over the forward step.

Looking forward from aft of main mast. You can see the main boom is already in place. The crane is lowering the foremast.

Everyone wants to know about the mast coins.

Looking through the hole in the deck ready to receive the mast. In the mortise below, which will receive the mast's tenon, you can some of the coins placed there.

Mast coins. When we get details we will update this post.

Mast coins When we get details we will update this post.

Mast coins in mortise When we get details we will update this post.

Mast coins in mortise When we get details we will update this post.

Crew aloft rigging stays.

Foredeck from aloft.

Looking down to the aft deck. The boom is in place. Captain Krihwan inspects.

The fore shrouds are in place, the crew is sorting out the stays.

Masts are in! Wednesday the rigging continues! "The crew will be hard at work tensioning the rig and getting ready to hang blocks" for the running rigging.

More Samples from Ernestina-Morrissey’s Waters!

The Water Project is a great success!  We have nearly 50 samples of water representing Ernestina-Morrissey‘s AMAZING history! HERE’S A LIST of the great group of folks who helped with the project and where they collected the water they sent. You can see more about each one in the posts below.  Soon Ernestina-Morrissey will slip into Boothbay Harbor and then, after the final preparations, will make her way to those waters again, carrying her history with her!

Samples have come in from across Ernestina-Morrissey‘s history! From Essex, MA to Digby, NS, from Newfoundland to British Columbia and Greenland, from Mindelo, Cape Verde and of course from #HomeportNewBedford and her other berth at Massachusetts Maritime Academy! The most recent are posted at the top as you scroll down. ~~~  This list was started on June 8. The original listing which started with water collected January 18 was just too long!  You can visit that list HERE. There are 46 samples described below, THANK YOU to everyone who helped with this project!

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

South Street Seaport Museum, Pier 16, Manhattan, NY, NY

Captain Jonathan Boulware, President and CEO, collected water from the deck of the Tugboat W.O. Decker, part of the South Street Seaport Museum's fleet, Pier 16, Manhattan, NY, NY

Effie M. Morrissey landed a catch of herring at least once at the Fulton Street Markets during the the later part of her fishing life.  Most of her time in New York was during the Bartlett’s Arctic voyages when she would spend winters in New York, her homeport at that time.  During the efforts to return Ernestina to the U.S. from Cape Verde South Street Seaport  was considered as a destination.  Peter and Norma Stanford who founded SSSM and were instrumental in establishing the National Maritime Historical Society were early and strong supporters of the repatriation and preservation of Ernestina. They recognized her important history. During the Education Years Ernestina traveled to New York Harbor for various educational voyages and OpSail events. Visit South Street Seaport Museum and the Fleet next time you are in New York City.

Water from the East River, looks like the Decker has the same dock lines as Ernestina-Morrissey!

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Seth Goodwin sailed by this shore several times when he was an Ernestina crew member. He sailed as mate in 2000 during the millennial Tall Ships events from Delaware to Halifax, NS

Ernestina participated in Tall Ship events in New York Harbor. Especially significant was the 1986 Statue of Liberty Centennial and the 2000 Millennial celebrations. Effie M. Morrissey‘s homeport was New York during Captain Bartlett’s time, between dockages at Staten Island and City Island and Rye, NY the vessel must have passed Red Hook many times!

Red pin at Valentina Pier, Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

58th St Brooklyn Army Terminal, New York Harbor

The Morrissey reported to the Army Terminal here to begin service in World War II.

Now it is a mixed use area and NYC ferry stop for several lines.

The red pin is the location.

The water was collected by Rick and Alessandro Lopes. Rick has been documenting Ernestina-Morrissey‘s history interviewing people from all parts of her story for more than 30 years. Rick has partnered with the National Maritime Historical Society to produce the documentary series “Sails Over Ice and Seas: The Life and Times of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey”. DETAILS AND VIDEO LINKS

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

In 1987 Captain Moreland took Ernestina to the Great Lakes. DETAILS HERE. “The Ernestina traveled roughly 3,000 miles on the year by the time she reached Milwaukee, Wisconsin to be the featured attraction in the Milwaukee Maritime Days. She had been a crowd pleaser during her five-day stay in Milwaukee, welcoming on her decks up to 5,000 people per day and profiled in the media frequently.”

Thank you, Captain Krihwan for bringing water from Milwaukee, your previous homeport. And welcome to #HomeportNB

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Portland, Maine

Portland Yacht Services sent us water from Portland Maine.

Portland has Effie M. Morrissey and Ernestina tales to tell.  One well documented trip by the Morrissey then captained by Harry Ross was the 1912  “Record Run” from Portland, ME to Yarmouth, NS, well documented in print and photos by Frederick William Wallace.

Captain Harry Ross of Digby at the helm of EFFIE M. MORRISSEY. From CAMERA ON THE BANKS by F.William Wallace

In 2003 now known as Ernestina, during one her many educational trips to Maine waters,  welcomed back one very special guest to her decks: Bartlett Boy, Austen Colgate, who sailed under Bob Bartlett in 1940 for a great sail around Portland Harbor. DETAILS HERE

Austin Colgate and Captain Willi Bank

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Fort Adams, Newport, RI

Location of Ernestina‘s first landfall in the U.S. at the end of her voyage of repatriation, August 24, 1982.

The crew and trainees aboard the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry collected water at their berth at Fort Adams. The same berth Ernestina took when she arrived in Newport in 1982 . OHP’s Captain Jonathan Kabak was mate on Ernestina in 2000.

The crew and trainees aboard the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry with their water sample.

On August 24, 1982 at 8:30 pm, Ernestina entered Newport Harbor to clear Customs before the trip to New Bedford.

Stephan Platzer, who was radio operator and a crew member for the repatriation trip, returned to Ernestina after a night with his family. taken 8/25/1982 at Fort Adams.

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Onset & Menemsha

1940 Frederick C. N. Littleton “Bartlett Boy” at the wheel of the Schooner Effie M. Morrissey.

Fred Littleton and Julius Britto met while working on the repatriation of Ernestina in the late 1970′s and after 1982 with the Massachusetts Schooner Ernestina Commission.  It was wonderful to receive these two samples from these Massachusetts waters.  Julius collected from the beach at Onset Pier to recognize the hard work of the Wareham chapter of the Friends of Ernestina .

Julius Britto amd Grandson Elliot collecting water at Onset Pier.

1982-The crowd waits for Ernestina to come alongside at Onset Town Pier enroute to Gloucester to be laid up for the winter and await work.

Onset children visiting at sunset.

Shelley Edmundson and Peter  Lambos from Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust collected from Menemsha Harbor in honor of  Fred Littleton.

Fred Littleton at the helm, Bartlett Boys Reunion sail, Fred also served on EMHA and the Commission and volunteered for educational programming.

Peter Lambos collects water from Menemsha Harbor where Fred Littleton was Harbor Master

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Fan Pier and Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA

Annie McDowell and Jose Centeio

Annie McDowell, longtime Ernestina office manager and accountant, sent water she collected on June 1 from two locations frequently visited by Ernestina during the Education Years.  She wrote “Great location, a spot in Boston to have fundraising events, listen to music and even watch a movie projected on the sails of Ernestina at the dock. Many members, students & other groups joined the ship at the Fan Pier or Rowes Wharf locations to continue on to other ports or just have a sail in Boston Harbor.”

SailBoston2000 Tall Ships event rafted with Gleam, Mya (Sen. Ted Kennedy’s schooner) , Ernestina, STS Lord Nelson at Fan Pier

She also wrote that “This location is where Bob Hildreth boarded the ship for an education sail and was hooked ever since!”

Bob Hildreth in 2009 at the Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, Maine during the bow work done then. He has been a tremendous advocate for and supporter of the Ernestina-Morrissey since he first sailed on her from Fan Pier.

Rowes Wharf is just across the beginning of Fort Point Channel from Fan Pier on Boston. Harbor. There was a reception there in 2009 when Ernestina returned from Maine.

2009 Reception at Rowes Wharf on the return of Ernestina to Massachusetts

Jose Centeio, chair of Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Advisory Board also collected at these locations on June 17.

Jose Centeio collects water at Fan Pier, with Ernestina-Morrissey’s Essex Sister Roseway,

Jose Centeio on the Moakley Federal Courthouse Dock

This was the location where, in 2003 a young Tom Brady and Teddy Brewski helped Dunkin’ Donuts launch their new espresso product line with Ernestina as a backdrop with a great new fisherman sail!

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Along with Captain Krihwan there is now a crew of 5 working on Ernestina-Morrissey at the shipyard and they collected water for us.  Ernestina spent time on this railway in 2008-09 having work done on her bow and forward deck beams.

The crew: Jason, Susannah, Jae, Walker, Tiffany, and Phil

Collecting from the platform of the railway. You can see the rails that Ernestina-Morrissey will soon be rolling down as she is launched with all the waters we are collecting!

Jason, Walker and Jae

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Ricketson’s Point, South Dartmouth MA

Another sample from Annie McDowell with help from her grandson Anderson DeBrito. “Great spot for a last-night anchorage when Ernestina was sailing with a group that had to disembark early the next morning in New Bedford. We have enjoyed seeing Ernestina anchored off the beach and hope to continue to see her sailing in Buzzards Bay with the  next generation of sailors.”

Annie with her daughter Anna, with Ernestina at anchor in the fog. 1998 Ricketson’s Point South Dartmouth, MA

2022 Anna and Anderson after successful collection.

Annie McDowell & Anderson DeBrito 2022 Ricketson’s Point South Dartmouth, MA

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

~~~  This list was started on June 8.  ~~~  The original listing which started with water collected January 18 was just too long!  ~~~  You can visit that list HERE. ~~~

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Samples from Ernestina-Morrissey’s Waters!

Samples have come in from across Ernestina-Morrissey‘s history! From Essex, MA to Digby, NS, from Newfoundland to British Columbia and Greenland, from Mindelo, Cape Verde and of course from #HomeportNewBedford!  The most recent are posted at the top as you scroll down. ~~~ If you want to help with collecting the Ernestina-Morrissey Waters Project check the post HERE:

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Onset & Menemsha

Julius Britto and Fred Littleton

1940 Frederick C. N. Littleton "Bartlett Boy" at the wheel of the Schooner Effie M. Morrissey.

met while working on the repatriation of Ernestina in the late 1970′s and after 1982 with the Massachusetts Schooner Ernestina Commission.  It was wonderful to receive two samples from these Massachusetts waters.  Julius collected from the beach at Onset Pier to recognize the hard work of the Wareham chapter of the Friends of Ernestina and Shelley Edmundson from Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust collected from Menemsha Harbor in honor of  Fred Littleton.

After her arrival in New Bedford in 1982 Ernestina stopped at Onset Town Pier enroute to Gloucester to be moored for the winter and have a new motor iinstalled.

[caption id="attachment_11583" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Onset children visiting at sunset."][/caption]
Fred Littleton at teh helm

Fred Littleton at the helm for the 1998 Bartlett Boys Reunion sail. Fred also served on EMHA and the Commission and volunteered for educational programming.

[caption id="attachment_11588" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Peter Lambos collects water from Menemsha Harbor where Fred Littleton was Harbor Master."][/caption]

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Gloucester, MA

We received two samples from Ernestina-Morrissey‘s earliest life and her first captains! Descendants of William and Clayton Morrissey collected water just north of the Eastern Point Breakwater.  Clayt, who was with us on last fall’s sail on Adventure, sent the dedication below:

Clayton Morrissey and Ann Morrissey Andrew

“The fishing schooner Ernestina (Effie) Morrissey launched in late January of 1894. On March 14th of 1894, she began her maiden fishing trip from her home port of Gloucester, MA, onward to the plentiful fishing grounds of the Atlantic Ocean’s Grand Banks. Crowds of Gloucesterites sent off the Morrissey along the shores and waterfronts, shouting or cheering well wishes and fair sailing, as well as a good catch and a safe return to Gloucester. The last sights that the crowds might have seen of the Morrissey would have been her proud full sails rounding the outer point of Eastern Point Breakwater, which helps protect Gloucester’s inner harbor from the ocean’s rage and waves. It is from this breakwater that my darling of a daughter, Ann, and my big, strong Grandson, Will, have collected salt water from the Atlantic Ocean on behalf of the Ernestina-Morrissey, a must-be-considered Queen of the Oceans. By the way, the Morrissey’s maiden fishing trip took four months and brought home a record catch of cod, halibut, and small species of fish. The crew and captain, William Morrissey, [and his first mate and son, 18 year old Clayton] must have been some happy to catch sight of that breakwater, knowing they were finally nearing Gloucester’s harbor after four months of fishing the Grand Banks”

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Allan Bezanson and Larry Dahlmer sent water from Smith’s Cove, Gloucester, MA.  “During the Nov. 1898 ‘Portland Breeze’ Effie Morrissey broke loose from Wonson’s and  went ashore in Smith’s Cove, Gloucester.  She had broken adrift from John F Wonson’s Wharf together with four other schooners.  The Morrissey was floated later, with little damage.”

John F. Wonson Wharf, 1904 (four years after “the Blow”) Wonson’s is in the right foreground, with Rocky Neck forming the far shore of Smith’s Cove and the Gloucester skyline in the background. Photo Credit: Martha Harvey.

Larry Dahlmer with water sample. J.F. Wonson Wharf remnants in the background (red and white sheds), are visible directly behind Larry’s head.

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Iceland

The last charters Bartlett had with the Morrissey were to the US Army for missions to the far North Atlantic. During World War II (1942-1945) the Morrissey did hydrographic work and carried supplies to Arctic naval and air bases for the Army Air Corps and the Navy under joint command of Captain Bartlett and Commander Alexander Forbes, USN.  Rognvaldur Guomundsson sent us water from Reykjavik Harbour in Iceland!

Rognvaldur Guomundsson at Reykjavik Harbour, Iceland.

photos by Henry M. Barr, on board photographer 1943-1946

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Alaska ~ Vancouver, BC ~ Seattle, WA

Ernestina-Morrissey‘s 1928 voyage to the Pacific has the MOST water samples so far for any year of her amazing history!  Working south from the Bering Strait (posted below) Tami Kellogg sent water from waters of the Gulf of Alaska which Bartlett’s “Little Morrissey” crossed, enroute to the Aleutian Islands.

Tami Kellogg on the shore of Resurrection Bay.

Eric and Sally Kaufmann sent water from Vancouver, BC which is on the Inland Passage  from Victoria to Prince Rupert where Bartlett picked up the members of the Stoll McCracken Siberian Arctic Expedition, provisions and equipment.

Eric Kaufmann with water collected at Montrose Park,  Vancouver, BC

Then they went a little south to Magnolia Park in Seattle, WA. where the crew stopped for repairs.

Eric Kaufmann at Magnolia Park, Seattle, WA. taken by Ruth

In 1928 the Morrissey had a rough voyage from the Panama Canal (scroll down to find post of that water sample) and needed repairs when she arrived in Seattle.  You can read about it in Sails Over Ice” The shipyard on Harbor Island, Seattle where the repairs were done is now operated by  Vigor Industries. Erin Johnson along with Tami Kellogg, Brian O’Reilly and Christopher Roberts, collected water there.

Erin Johnson arranged the collection at Vigor, the shipyard   (as Todd Pacific Shipyards), that Bartlett used.

Erin Johnson assisted by Tami Kellogg, Brian O’Reilly and Christopher Roberts,

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Bering Strait ~ Chuckshi Sea

Mike Dempsey from the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney, British Columbia sent us water from the 2009 research cruise of the icebreaker CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier.  The water we received included a sample from Science station BCL-7 in the Chuckshi Sea and science station BRS-5 in the Bering Strait.   In 1928 Captain Bartlett chartered the Morrissey to the Stoll/McCraken expedition and traveled from New York, through the Panama Canal as far north and east as Wrangell Island. (70.98° N, 179.94 W)  Scroll down to 1928  HERE.

icebreaker CCGS Wilfrid Laurier

Retrieving samples

Mike Dempsey

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Mystic, CT

Ernestina returned to New Bedford from Florida in April, 1992 (see Dodge Island post below) “but without a foundation of administrative and operational funding, program fees received during the 1992 sailing season were not enough to keep the office doors open after the fall. This time the schooner was moved to Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut for the winter of 1992/1993 and secured. “  Mary Meehan, a longtime Ernestina volunteer who visited Mystic Seaport aboard Ernestina and Captain Nicholas Alley gathered Mystic River water from the from the deck of Schooner Amistad.  Mystic Seaport Museum is home to many historic vessels, some permanently, some for occasional visits. It is the berth of L.A.Dunton, Ernestina-Morrissey‘s Essex sister.

Mary Meehan and Captain Nicholas Alley aboard Amistad with their water sample.

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Dodge Island, Miami, FL

Early in 1992 after a trip disrupted by “The Perfect Storm” Ernestina was brought to  Dodge Island, Miami, Florida until plans could be made to return to New Bedford. We have received water from the southeastern coast of Florida from Stephen McAfee who learned a lot sailing on Ernestina when he  was younger.

1997 Constitution Sail.

Dodge Island, Miami, Florida

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Merrimack River

Captain Amanda Madeira and Graham McKay collected water from the Merrimack River at Lowell’s Boat Shop.  Established in 1793, Lowell’s Boat Shop is the oldest continuously operating boat shop in the United States and is known for supplying fishing dories to the Gloucester fleet.

Amanda Madeira and Graham McKay with solid water from the Merrimack River.
Amanda Madeira and Graham McKay with solid water from the Merrimack River.

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Essex, MA

K.D. Dench, Executive Director of ESSEX HISTORICAL SOCIETY & SHIPBUILDING MUSEUM  & Amanda Madeira, one of Ernestina‘s captains, collected water from near Ernestina-Morrissey‘s birthplace!  Essex Shipbuilding Museum is at the site of several shipyards building schooners including James and Tarr where Effie M. Morrissey was built.

KD and Amanda at the shore of the Essex River.

Fred Littleton, 1940 Bartlett Boy, built a scale model of the ship which he sailed in Vineyard Sound (scroll down to Fred sailing in company with Ernestina in 1990.)  The model was donated to the Essex Shipbuilding Museum.  Here it is with KD.

KD with the “Little Effie” built by Fred Littleton, Bartlett Boy.

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

Ernestina-Morrissey’s partners, the rangers of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

Ranger Rufai Shardow collected water from Ernestina-Morrissey‘s berth at New Bedford State Pier next to Coast Guard Park.  The red lightship will be moved out this summer so the berth on the floating dock will be restored when she returns.  Ernestina-Morrissey has been a part of the park since its inclusion in the park’s legislation in 1996. Park staff look forward to co-hosting educational programs when she is back in New Bedford.

NBWNHP has supported Ernestina-Morrissey since the park was formed in 1996.  Here an interpretive panel about the ship at Coast Guard Park. near her berth.

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound

Tally collecting from Vineyard Sound, near Naushon Island.

Tally Garfield collected water from Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. These are the home waters of Alex Forbes (Navy Commander of “The Morrissey’s WWII mission to to support the vital joint American-Canadian effort in a “Quest for a Northern Air Route” for military planes).  Ernestina anchored in outer Hadley Harbor once, and frequently at the Weepeckets and Tarpaulin Cove in the 1990’s up to 2004 when operating out of New Bedford as a sail training and environmental vessel.  Also, the home waters of Sophie Morse who served as Ernestina crew & captain in the years between 1994 and 2003.

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Clarks Cove, New Bedford, MA

The Community Boating Center has been serving the youth of #HomeportNewBedford since 1998 and partnered with the Commission when Schooner Ernestina was sailing.  We received a sample of water from Clarks Cove, the waters where their trainees develop their skills.

CBC trainees sailing in Clarks Cove.
Sailing on Clarks Cove with New Bedford’s Hurricane Barrier and mills in the background.

The Community Boating Center brought their sailing students for sails, including multiday voyages until 2004. Here they line up on the mainsail throat halyard to raise the main.

2002 ~ The crew of CBC trainees gathered on the aft cabin after a successful overnight voyage with an anchorage inside Penikese, Cuttyhunk and Nashawena Islands in the Elizabeth Island Chain.

Here’s a LINK to that voyage.

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

St. John’s, NL

The Grand Banks where Effie M. Morrissey fished are off the coast of Newfoundland. The vessel often went into Newfoundland ports for provisions.  St John’s is the capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador and its harbour is historically the center of much of Maritime history. Bartlett would go into St Johns at various times on his voyages to the Arctic starting in 1926. Newfoundlander Catherine Dempsey, a SEMA director, and her husband Jim collected water in St John’s harbor.  They reported “The weather today was windy. 55km/h and the temperature was -4° C  We felt a small Screech rum bottle was a suitable collection bottle.  It has been a pleasure to be involved in collecting water for this project.”

‫ Jim Dempsey collecting water in St John’s NL

St John’s Harbor, NL with Signal Hill in the background a the entrance to the harbor.

‫ Jim Dempsey chose an appropriate container for his sample of Newfoundland water.

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Digby, NS

Greg Turner and his daughter Angela collected samples in Digby, Nova Scotia. As he explains below, he is also Bob Bartlett’s  grandnephew.

Angela and Greg Turner at Digby, NS

Greg Turner at Digby Harbor, NS

back of Greg Turner’s form with the Digby history of the Morrissey. As Ernestina she visited in 1990.

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Provincetown, MA

Annie McDowell recently sent a sample from Provincetown.  She served on the administrative staff in the office and when Ernestina was sailing, as occasional deckhand.

Provincetown, MA was another sister harbor to Gloucester when the Morrissey was cod fishing. Provincetown was also a safe harbor to anchor Ernestina overnight, listen to music & use dories to go ashore for Educational school programs from 1994-2004.

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

New Bedford, MA

The Stevens family collect New Bedford Harbor water, (l-r) Derek, his son Dominic, daughter Arianna and son Derek Stevens Jr. watching. All descendants of Captain Henrique Mendes.

#HomeportNB ! Derek Stevens, a descendant of Captain Henrique Mendes, collected

August 29, 1982, the celebration of the transfer of Ernestina to Massachusetts.

water from a floating dock adjacent to Tonnesson Park/New Bedford State Pier. Ernestina’s berth in Homeport New Bedford for many years and where she

2003 downrig at the Tonnesson Park berth

moored when she arrived in 1982. This was the location of the transfer of the gift from Cape Verde to Massachusetts, it was a day of great celebration, August 29, 1982. scroll down HERE. for more information.  Ernestina was berthed in this location often during her Education years until she moved to the south side of State Pier in 2004.

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~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Brigus, NL

Graham Wakeman by the Bartlett Monument.

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Another sample from Brigus, Newfoundland, this one from adjacent to the Bartlett Memorial.    Brigus is the hometown of Captain Robert Abram Bartlett. Graham Wakeman collected the sample from the beach that overlooks the town. You can download the video HERE. Ruth took the photos.

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~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Mindelo, Sao Vincente, Cabo Verde

Mindelo, Sao Vincente, Cabo Verde Laginha Beach

The Institute for Cape Verdean Studies at Bridgewater University and Biosfera Cabo Verde provided a sample from Laginha Beach in Mindelo, Sao Vincente, Cabo Verde. “The City of Mindelo was the last port of repair before the Government of Cape Verde presented the ship, as a symbolic gift, to the People of the United States in 1982.”  They sent a video of the water collection. you can download.

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey~~~

Panama Canal

Panama Canal, Bartlett transited the Canal for the 1928 voyage to the Bering Straits

In 1928 Captain Bartlett took the Morrissey through the Panama Canal and north through the Pacific for the McCraken/Stoll expedition.  Thank you, Tami Kellogg for making the connections and Tom Cumings for collecting the water! It is great to have the 1928 voyage represented!

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey~~~

Brigus, NL

1927 The Morrissey leaving Brigus Harbor for the Arctic with the ice barrel in place for ice navigation.

Margaret Angel, Captain Bartlett’s grand-niece, is sending water from Brigus Harbor. “Brigus is the home of Capt. Bob Bartlett.  The Morrissey always stopped there on the way north ” Her father, Jack Angel, sailed with him on 4 voyages in the 1930′s.”  There is a photo of him in the 1931 website archives. .

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey~~~

Qaqortoq, Greenland

On January 28, 2022 a group of students from the Campus Kujalleq, KVU-Tourism Department, a Danish post-graduate education program in Qaqortoq, Greenland collected water for our project!  Ernestina-Morrissey sailed to Greenland many times under Captain Bartlett, in 1932 to raise a monument to Commander Peary at Cape York and during the vessel’s service in World War II.

issey ~~~

Latitude and Longitude 60 gr. 43´3” N 46 gr.2´20” V Harbour of Qaqortoq Greenland

Campus Kujalleq Service managements students Joey, Georg, Anna, Nuka, Taatsiannguaq, Kunuk, Sarah

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Fisgard Light, Esquimalt Harbour, BC

In early February John Harper collected water at   48° 25.851’N; 123° 26.855’W at Fisgard Light, Esquimalt Harbour, British Columbia, Canada.  Bartlett stopped here in 1928 on the Stoll McCracken Siberian Arctic Expedition to the Aleutian Islands, Bering Strait, and Arctic under the auspices of the American Museum of Natural History.

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Fairhaven Shipyard, Fairhaven, MA

#BlackHistoryMonth ~~~ In 1948 Captain Henrique Mendes brought the then Effie M. Morrissey to New Bedford Harbor for repairs before bringing her to Cape Verde.  The boat was hauled at the Casey Shipyard in Fairhaven for some of the work.   The site now is part of Fairhaven Shipyard and is still a working shipyard.

Site of former Casey Shipyard, now Fairhaven Shipyard, Fairhaven, MA

Mary Anne McQuillan collected water at the Casey Shipyard site. This sample represents the time in Ernestina-Morrissey’s life when Captain Henrique Mendes was preparing the boat for a voyage to Cape Verde to begin life as the packet Ernestina.

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Fred Sterner collected a sample to represent the time in 2002 when he and the crew repaired Ernestina after flooding in Block Island Sound.  At that time the site was a DN Kelley and Sons facility.  Scroll down here for more information

Ernestina in 2002 being launched from the railway after repairs at the same site that she was repaired at in 1948!

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

Rondout Creek,  Kingston, NY

Gregg Swanzey, Executive Director for the Ernestina Commission from 1994-2006, collected water from Rondout Creek at the Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston, NY, just before the water flows into the Hudson River.  The museum was the site of the first Ships to Save the Waters Conference in 1999. Ernestina was one of one of the presenting ships.  The 2021 conference was held in New Bedford.

Rondout Creek water from the Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston, NY collected by Gregg Swanzey

~~~ #WatersofErnestinaMorrissey ~~~

If you want to help with collecting the Ernestina-Morrissey Waters Project check the post HERE:

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The Worldwide Waters of Ernestina-Morrissey

~~~ YOU can be part of the Celebrations ~~~

~~~when Ernestina-Morrissey Sails Again!~~~

Will you help us?

Since 1894, Ernestina-Morrissey has sailed oceans and seas, far and wide, and visited many ports.  It has been suggested that every effort be made to collect water from those oceans and seas, bays and ports and co-mingle all of those waters to represent the diversity of all of her history. The combined waters would be used to re-dedicate Ernestina-Morrissey when she is launched this summer.

Please download this collection form (PDF) if you can help us with this project.  Email sails@ernestina.org if you would prefer a fillable WORD doc.

Where can the water come from?

You can see brief descriptions of all of her voyages on THIS TIMELINE.  Just click on the years to see where she has been!

Most of you know she spent her early life on the Grand Banks and in fishing waters along the New England and the Canadian Maritimes coasts.   Then Bartlett

1940-Furthest North, Baffin Island

brought her to the far north, with landfalls in Iceland, Greenland, Labrador, Baffin Island, Fury and Hecla Straight. Many do not know that in 1928 “The Morrissey” went via the Panama Canal, to Seattle, the Aleutian Islands and through the Bering Straits.

As Ernestina,

ERNESTINA already alongside all the way up the quais. MARIA SONY heading into Brava

her Cape Verdean packet years brought her to Southern New England ports, the Islands of Cape Verde and Dakar, Senegal.

Since her return to Massachusetts in 1982 she has been south to the Caribbean, north to Newfoundland and west to the Great Lakes. Where will she go next when she sails again in 2022?

Please contact us at sails@ernestina.org if you can help SEMA gather the waters of Ernestina-Morrissey. We will all have something to celebrate when she returns to the water again this summer!  Help us celebrate her long life as she begins to write a new chapter of her story!

If you can send water representing any of Ernestina-Morrissey‘s amazing voyages to any of the Earth’s oceans please download this collection form and collect some water. Join with others in Ernestina-Morrissey‘s widespread family and make this a great way for everyone to participate in her successful return to sailing the Waters of the World .

If you have any questions please contact us at sails@ernestina.org.

You may have thought of one, or two water samples you could get. Just a few that come to mind are:

In Massachusetts: Essex. Gloucester,  Salem, Marblehead, New Bedford, Boston, Vineyard Haven, Nantucket and …

In New England: Newport, RI, Bridgeport CT, Portland, ME…

In New York: Fulton Street Market, Staten Island, City Island, and Brooklyn, NYC, Beacon, Hudson and…

In the rest of the US: Seattle, WA, Alaska, Aleutian Islands, Bering Straits, Traverse City, MI, Milwaukee, WI, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dodge Island, Miami, FL,  and ….

In the Caribbean: in 1945: Bermuda, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 1991: San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, USVI, Falmouth Harbor, Antigua, and ….

In the Chukchi Sea: Wrangell Island, and …

In Cape Verde and Africa, Mindelo, Fogo, Brava, and Dakar, Senegal and …

In Canada: Digby, Sidney and Yarmouth, NS, Brigus and St. John’s, NL, The Grand Banks, Victoria, BC, Baffin Island, Hudson Strait, Fury and Hecla Straits, Labrador, Toronto, Montreal & Quebec City, Halifax, Lunenburg, NS, Victoria, BC, Prince Rupert, BC  and …

Others: Panama Canal, Cape York & Ikateq, Greenland, Reykjavík, Iceland and….

Perhaps you can send water not yet on this list!

Download this collection form.

Thank you for your help!

Chief Engineer and Chief Mate Positions Posted

Ernestina, Gloucester Schooner Race, photo credit Fred LeBlanc

Massachusetts Maritime Academy is an AA/EEO/Veteran/Disabled employer. Members of under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.  The Academy asks that all applicants follow the directions on the job postings to apply.  Any applicants directly contacting screening committees may be disqualified from the search.

Application Forms HERE

The Ernestina-Morrissey fulltime positions have been posted and can be found at MMA’s website here:

Chief Engineer/Motor Equipment Operator IV – Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey

Assistant Director/Chief Mate-Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey

The deadline for applications is January 22, 2022.

Information about seasonal crew positions can be found HERE.

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