The Schooner Ernestina Commission should have 9 commissioners.  The enabling legislation specifies qualifications for the appointments.  There will be an open seat soon and the appointee “shall be any person whose expertise would be an asset to the commission and the Schooner Ernestina or have particular expertise in the Cape Verdean history as it relates to said schooner, or history of said ship as the Effie M. Morrissey.

It is up to the Commission to consider who to propose to the Governor’s office through DCR.  Anyone who is interested in serving should submit a letter interest along with a resume and a statement of their involvement with and their interest in Ernestina and their qualifications to serve on the Commission to Jen Nersesian at the National Park Office  33 William St New Bedford, MA 02740.

The candidate needs to be someone who can attend Commission meetings as Massachusetts regulations require actual presence at the meeting to make a quorum.  Meetings are usually held monthly in New Bedford on a Friday afternoon.

Stop by the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitors’ Center during AHA! for the latest news about Ernestina.   Meet the new Commissioners Fred Sterner and Gene Monteiro.  Check out the display describing the latest haul out and a report on the December 2 Commission meeting.   Talk with Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association directors and volunteers about WHAT’S NEXT and how you can help!

Find out how to support Ernestina and finish your holiday shopping with Ernestina t-shirts and hats.

5-9 pm.  See  you there!

$20 each Proceeds to benefit Schooner Ernestina

Baker Books is once again helping SEMA out this Holiday Season by making Ernestina hats available at the store at 69 State Road (Route 6), Dartmouth, MA.

Do all your holiday shopping at Baker Books.  Shop local!

Dear Friend,
It still amazes me, year after year, how frequently people will approach someone from the SEMA and say something like, “I sailed on Ernestina. That experience changed my life. Is she still sailing? I’d love to bring my children out .” How I wish we could tell them, “Yes, she is repaired and sailing and ready to take the next generation of young people out on to the seas to learn first-hand about history, culture, science and marine life.”

It is not just an empty wish. We are getting closer and closer to fulfilling that dream every day. This year, we have a very special opportunity to propel our fundraising efforts. Through a generous matching gift from Bob Hildreth, we will be able to match dollar for dollar every donation made up to $10,000 until December 31, 2011. That means your money will be doubled!

And with SEMA, you know your gift will be managed shrewdly:

With very little overhead and the bulk of SEMA’s work being done by a dedicated core of volunteers, your donation is used directly for repairing the ship – a new foremast and fresh paint for the dories in 2011. And we have invested most gifts in anticipation of the forthcoming assessment of the ship’s total repair needs in 2012.

Please re-confirm your commitment to setting a course for the future that treasures culture and honors history. Last year, SEMA’s supporters showed their loyalty to Ernestina’s legacy:

• Over 200 new SEMA members.
• Nearly $100,000 raised to date.
• SEMA has been working towards signing a “Memorandum of Agreement” (MOA) with the Ernestina Commission, which would give us more control over fundraising and programming.
• Significant public support from lawmakers and the new DCR Commissioner.
• Purchased a new foremast.

Let’s make 2012 the year that we see Ernestina out on the waters again. Please help us to make the dream come true – a new generation experiencing the rich cultural history of Ernestina ex. Effie M. Morrissey - with the wind at their backs and the freedom of the ocean in the hearts.

Thank you for supporting this national treasure.
Give a secure online donation today. or download the donation form here

or just mail your check to

SEMA

P.O. Box 2995

New Bedford, MA  02741

Fair winds,

Mary Anne McQuillan

The rig has been prepared for the masts to be removed and the now the wait for the crane.   The seizings have been removed from the shroud lanyards and they have been loosened.  The spring-stay is down and a temporary cable and come-along is stabilizing the masts at the top of the shrouds.  The back-stay has been loosened and the rig prepared as much as possible to be ready for the crane.  When the masts are on the pier the hardware will be removed from the foremast for use on the new foremast and the main mast will be inspected.  The rig will stay down for the winter  and the winter cover will be raised as soon as possible to protect Ernestina from the worst of the weather.

Don Matinzi, Steve Walsh, Fred Sterner, Jen Nersesian, Laura Pires-Hester, Gene Monteiro

Fred Sterner and Gene Monteiro joined the other Commission members for their first meeting on October 31.

SEMA often gets emails from folks sharing some interesting news.  If you have anything to share please contact us!

Arctic films from the Bartlett Era.

These are short clips from Junius Bird with no audio.

Hunting Bull Walrus

1928 Archaeological expedition

Short clip showing Captain Bob Bartlett

And some footage from the “Arctic Rodeo” year.  Great polar bear shots!

And Dory Fishing

There won’t be any films of dory fishing in 1894 surfacing but this is a link to some very interesting footage of Portuguese dory fishermen on the Grand Banks in the 1930′s

From the Cape Cod Times

Going through the Cape Cod Canal on the return from Boothbay after the bow rebuild in 2009.

From the National Park Youth Ambassador Program (YAP)

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park has a Youth Ambassador Program that has produced some great videos showcasing New Bedford. Ernestina gets her shout-out toward the end of this one. Congratulations! YAP

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The end of October brought the 20th anniversary of the Perfect Storm.

Did you knowthat Ernestina headed south from New Bedford on October 25, 1991?  Scroll down to read the account of what happened.

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Ernestina’s return was well covered.  Tom Lopes produced a great slide show on his YouTube Channel,

Don Cuddy covered the return in South Coast News.

and lots of pictures in an earlier post.

On October 14th DCR Commissioner Ed Lambert welcomed the ship back to State Pier as reported in this release from DCR’s office.
NEW BEDFORD – FRIDAY, October 14, 2011– Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Edward M. Lambert, Jr. today toured the historic Schooner Ernestina, which returned this week to its berth at the New Bedford State Pier after undergoing repairs in Fairhaven since June.  The schooner, which is owned by the Commonwealth and operated and maintained by DCR, will reopen to the public in this spring for dockside tours.

The vessel was towed from the Fairhaven shipyard, where it had undergone repairs and maintenance. that included replacement of 25 planks, repainting and caulking of joints at a total cost of $183,000 funded by DCR. In the coming weeks, DCR staff will winterize the vessel and conduct maintenance.

“A piece of Massachusetts’ nautical history, this landmark vessel returns to its home here in New Bedford where it can continue to serve for years to come as a public educational destination for students, teachers, historians and visitors to explore,” said Commissioner Lambert.

Built in 1894 the Schooner Ernestina, formerly known as the Effie M. Morrissey, is a National Historic Landmark and the official vessel of the Commonwealth. The boat is the oldest surviving Grand Banks fishing schooner, the only surviving 19th century Essex-built fishing schooner, and one of two remaining examples of the Fredonia style schooners – the most famous American fishing vessel type.  The schooner is also one of only two sailing Arctic exploration vessels left afloat in the United States. The other is the Schooner Bowdoin, a National Historic Landmark.

The Commonwealth has owned the Ernestina since 1982 after receiving the vessel as a gift to the United States from the Republic of Cape Verde. The Schooner Ernestina Commission, which is appointed by Governor Patrick and comprised of community representatives and historical, tourism and education experts, is responsible for overseeing preservation and operation of the 117-year-old schooner.  DCR owns and manages the vessel on behalf of the Commonwealth and works cooperatively with the Commission on preservation projects.

The Schooner Ernestina’s principal mission is educational, providing on-board and dockside public tours.

DCR invested $1.2 million – including $500,000 in federal funds from the National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures Grant Program – on repairs to the forward section of the Ernestina from 2008 to 2009. DCR is undertaking a full assessment of the ship’s condition with the goal of restoring the ship to sailing condition as the Ernestina requires further repairs to the masts and rigging.

In 2006, Governor Patrick directed commission members to develop public-private partnerships to create financial stability for capital repairs and the continued operation of Ernestina. As part of this effort, the Schooner Ernestina Morrissey Association (SEMA) purchased a new mast.
The history of the Schooner Ernestina:

1894:                           Built in Essex, MA, named Effie M. Morrissey

1894-1925:                  Fishing schooner, and from 1914-1925, a cargo carrier

1926-1946:                  Arctic exploration schooner, under Captain Robert A. Bartlett (1875-1946),
including service in WWII

1948:                           Renamed Ernestina in 1948

1948-1960s:                Transporting cargo and Cape Verdean immigrants to and from the United States

1970s:                         Establishment of local and national friends groups advocating for Ernestina’s
preservation

1982-today:                 Educational vessel owned and operated by the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts

For more information about the history of the Ernestina, visit the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Library Ernestina archives page

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), an agency of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, oversees 450,000 acres of parks and forests, beaches, bike trails, watersheds, dams, and parkways. Led by Commissioner Edward M. Lambert Jr., the agency’s mission is to protect, promote, and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources. To learn more about DCR, our facilities, and our programs, please visit www.mass.gov/dcr<http://www.mass.gov/dcr>. Contact us atmass.parks@state.ma.us<mailto:mmass.parks@state.ma.us>.

Follow Secretary Sullivan on Twitter………………………. twitter.com/massEEA<https://email.state.ma.us/OWA/redir.aspx?C=504be6b21fcc4d988e58c83ef2ca0a60&URL=http%3a%2f%2ftwitter.com%2fmassEEA%2f>
View videos on You Tube…………………………………… www.youtube.com/MassEEA<http://www.youtube.com/MassEEA>
View downloadable photographs on Flickr……………… www.flickr.com/photos/masseea/sets/<http://www.flickr.com/photos/masseea/sets/>
Visit the Energy Smarts blog………………………………. www.mass.gov/blog/energy<http://www.mass.gov/blog/energy>
Visit The Great Outdoors blog……………………………… www.mass.gov/blog/environment<http://www.mass.gov/blog/environment>
Visit our website………………………………………………..www.mass.gov/dcr<http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/forestry/service/steward.htm>

251 Causeway Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114 — (617) 626-1250 office / (617) 626-1351 (fax)

Mr. Pires, Cape Verde’s former President won the Mo Ibrahim prize for good governance in Africa. The prize committee said Mr. Pires, who stepped down in August, had helped make the archipelago off the West African coast a “model of democracy, stability and increased prosperity”.

President Pires has always been a staunch supporter of Ernestina.

We congratulate him on his award.