Notice the reconstructed (2008) hull forward of the main mast and the stern section that will need more work to regain passenger carrying certification.

the recaulking is completed to the transom

The planking stock was delivered the second week of August and by August 12 the first plank was in.

The second course is three new planks

The green white oak planks must be steamed before being fitted into place.

You can see how the steamed planks must be twisted to fit the shape of the hull.

By Thursday, August 18 the starboard side was nearly done.

The starboard side is almost done.

Fitting the pattern for last plank on the starboard side.

Starfish print

Although Ernestina is still at Fairhaven Shipyard SEMA volunteers presented activities for AHA! on Thursday August 11.  It was a beautiful evening and with at lot of activity at Coast Guard Park.  The rowing club was helping folks try a hand at rowing a whaleboat and Northeast Maritime’s Fritha was coming to Ernestina‘s berth to give harbor tours.   We enjoyed helping the kids make fish prints and rope bracelets.

fish printing activity AHA! Making Waves

Painting the fish mold

Finished fish print

Making rope bracelets

SEMA has ordered a new foremast for Ernestina.  The mast will be shaped at The Spar Shop, part of Grays Harbor Historical Seaport.

It didn't take much effort to cause the top of the fore to part. 12/8/2011

Watch the fantastic video:  Spar Shop Tracer-Lathe showing their tracer-lathe, the largest in North America.      We have already received $1000 donations from both the Onset Cape Verdean Festival Association and the

New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus.  You can make a tax-deductable donation toward the SEMA Mast Fund by sending your check to SEMA, P.O. Box 2995 New Bedford, MA 02741 or use the Support button above to use your credit card with PayPal.

Check the details published in the Boston Globe.

Rep. Cabral at Oct 2010 Forum photo credit Frank Pina

Thank you Representative Cabral.

It is encouraging to see a revived interest in Ernestina from her stewards, the elected and appointed officials of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  We look forward to the day when Ernestina is repaired and can serve the people of Massachusetts as she has in the past.

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Do you have a Second Life?  If you use Second Life, Trudy Takacs tells us you would use this – SLURL (SL URL) to take a voyage on Ernestina.

Trudy says the idea and funding for the SL Ernestina was from Jim Bennette in coordination with his friend, Ernestina‘s former Captain and Executive Director Gregg Swanzey.

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Of interest to some of you may be another project featuring Capt Paul Cuffee of Westport.

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Stop by Coast Guard Park next to Ernestina‘s berth from 7-9 pm.  

Volunteers will be there to help you make your own fish print or rope bracelet to take home.

AND where volunteers will be answering questions about the work being done on Ernestina across the harbor at Fairhaven Shipyard.

If you would like to help CONTACT US.

This summer the USCG Cutter Eagle traveled north of the Arctic Circle on the voyage from Europe to Boston.  The Eagle sailed in waters off Iceland familiar to Capt. “Bob” Bartlett and his “Little Morrissey” now Ernestina.   Read Don Cuddy’s account of the voyage.

The New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus sang on at the ship Saturday followed by a presentation of Schooner Ernestina’s welcome to the Eagle upon joining the small group of U.S. tall ships which have crossed the Arctic Circle authored by volunteer Chuck Smiler.  The document was accompanied by copies of ”The Log of Bob Bartlett” and “Sails Over Ice”, a copy of Stephan Platzer’s Bringing E Home, and a copy of the May, 1946, National Geographic with Bob Bartlett’s article about his and the Morrissey’s service in WWII for the Eagle’s library.

Thank you from Captain Jones.

SEMA President Mary Anne McQuillan appealed to Governor Deval Patrick to fill the vacant seats on the Schooner Ernestina Commission as soon as possible.   The Governor was in Westport as part of  his recent Summer Conversation Tour.  Accepting an Ernestina hat, Governor Patrick promised that his staff will “get it done”

Valuable items from the Ernestina Commission Archives have been transferred to the Archives and Special Collections at the University of Massachusetts| Dartmouth.  Watch for the announcement of the formal transfer in September.

Ernestina Life ring from São Vicente,(Cape Verde)

Schooner Ernestina Commission Acting Chair Laura Pires Hester carrying Ernestina's banner.

Representatives of the Ernestina Commission and SEMA marched with our National Park partners again this year in the July 2 parade.  

As usual, the sight of the Ernestina banners drew a loud response from the crowd.

Many thanks to volunteers Sheila Pierce, Stephen Gaun and Chuck Smiler.

This year’s Cape Verdean Recognition events had special significance culminating in the opening of the New Bedford Whaling Museum Cape Verdean Maritime exhibit on July 5, Cape Verdean Independence Day.  

Ernestina‘s sternboard from Cape Verde is displayed prominently representing all the Cape Verdean Packet Trade vessels.

This exhibit explores the Republic of Cape Verde, its people, maritime history, connections to New England, and the legacies that continue to tie New Bedford and its culture to Cape Verde.

The formal dedication was followed by a reception in the Jacobs Gallery where Ernestina’s banner was prominently displayed.   Here are SEMA President Mary Anne McQuillan, Co-Chair Gene & Bonita  Monteiro, and Commissioner Laura Pires Hester.

photo credit :CVN MultiMedia

Check out photos posted by the Whaling Museum and read the article from the Boston Globe.