On July 8th Governor Baker signed a bill creating a new chapter in the 1894 Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey’s life and story. The bill transfers her stewardship from the Commonwealth’s Department of Conservation and Recreation to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA). The Act is the culmination of an initiative to fully rehabilitate this National Historic Landmark and Official Vessel of the Commonwealth that began in 2008.

The signing of this Bill is another seminal moment in the story and miraculous survival of this remarkable vessel. We are grateful to Massachusetts’ Senators Mark C. Montigny, Michael Rodrigues, and former Senator Viriato de Macedo as well as Representatives Antonio F.D. Cabral, Paul A. Schmid, and David T. Viera, among others, for their sponsorship of this legislation. SEMA is also grateful for John Bullard’s long and active advocacy of the vessel. As our colleague and past chairwoman of the Ernestina Commission Laura Pires-Hester and I recently wrote in our email, “We are excited about Ernestina-Morrissey sailing again, educating people again, bringing people together again, and doing her part in helping people of all colors unite around the world.  Now the vessel will once again be an educator, a portal into our maritime history, and an individual and collective pathway to the future. SEMA looks forward with excitement and enthusiasm to supporting MMA as it embarks on the latest chapter in this illustrious schooner’s story. “The Phoenix of the Seas” will sail again”

The vessel’s restoration is currently in Phase II which will install all the required systems, living quarters, her masts, and sails. SEMA will continue to be the conduit for donors’ funds to support this work which will result in a fully restored, Coast Guard licensed, operational vessel.

This Project to rehabilitate Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey is supported by a public/private partnership with funds from  the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, The H.F. Lenfest Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation, the Hildreth-Stewart Charitable Foundation, The Manton Foundation, the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts - Mary Morley Crapo Hyde Eccles Fund, the City of New Bedford’s Community Preservation Act Program,  the Carney Family Foundation, the Island Foundation, other grants and hundreds of individual contributions. Collectively this wonderful support has resulted in being on the verge of a new chapter for this much-loved schooner, Ernestina-Morrissey.

The Repatriation Voyage of Ernestina ended in Newport, RI on August 24th where the vessel and crew could clear US Customs.  But Newport was not her final destination!  After dark on August 28 Ernestina entered her new homeport, New Bedford, Massachusetts.  We have no photos of this day. Perhaps one of you may know someone who was on that trip and perhaps photos could be shared.

The pilot for the trip from Newport to New Bedford, Captain Bruce B. Fisher  ( Northeast Marine Pilots, Ret. ) shared his memories of that trip with us.  (At the end you will see Massachusetts Maritime Academy has been part of Ernestina’s history since her return!)

25 August: While at Northeast Marine Pilot Office,, we received request from the group “Friends of Ernestina” regarding the transiting of Ernestina (onward piloting ) from Newport to New Bedford. I recommended maybe tow it to New Bedford (vessel had no engine). ….  that idea didn’t fly.                                                                                                                                                      We then suggested that maybe we sail the vessel over to New Bedford , get there ASAP and thereby avoid undue delay getting her over to New Bedford, provided we had proper wind, weather & visibility.  We would sail out of Newport and Narragansett Bay, across R.I. Sound, Buzzards Bay and inbound to New Bedford,  distance maybe 50/60 miles before it was over.

As a Captain and Master Mariner Unlimited Tonnage Ocean-going Vessels and Marine Pilot in these waters over thirty years, I am quite capable of handling seagoing vessels, including various Tall Ships both under sail & power, having handled most all of them over the years as pilot and certainly could sail a schooner such as Ernestina;

I’m also pilot for New Bedford Harbor (required, since  the vessel was still under foreign registry, also the approaches to New Bedford could prove rather tricky to strangers.)                                                                                                                                                  We would need a small tug for the undocking of the vessel from Fort Adams, as well as another to assist in through the New Bedford Hurricane Barrier and  to the dock once we arrived outside of New Bedford. —  Otherwise I would sail Ernestina to New Bedford…..So, it was agreed and that became the plan.

28 August 1982:   That morning the wind was favorable -  15 – 18 knts NWly;  Visibility 10+ miles. I boarded Ernestina that morning about 0900. The Tug Brenton came up and made up along the starboard quarter as before. I had a companion along with me, Capt. George Crowninshield, who I invited to accompany me in the trip over.   Otherwise, (Captain) Lopes and one, possibly two other of the Cape Verde crew were on board. None of the Americans nor the rest of The crew were to be found.   I asked Lopes “Where were the crew and how he  expected to sail without crew?”. — “They’re gone”, Says he with some hesitation, only Lopes and one guy aboard !     —- Plus me, Bruce Fisher ( Pilot ) and friend Geo. Crowninshield.  Well, I gave this some quick thought; the conditions were favourable; a schooner is generally not especially difficult to handle, although Ernestina seemed a little ungainly, but it was doable.  Could be a bit of a handful given much more of a breeze, but I expected it would shift SW’ly and drop-out  as the day wore on.                                                                                                                                                        A contingent of Cape Verde /New Bedford locals came aboard as riders – not crew- but to party- hardy as passengers. There would be plenty gleeful celebrating, singing, mandolin playing and wine passing round during the trip over as they brewed-up a stew and gathered around the cook house forward.

So, I said to Capt. Lopes, ” OK, we go” – He gave a grin, a clap of his hands & ..and …” OK,  we go.”

We got her underway, let go the mooring lines, (the tug) dragged the Ernestina (out of Fort Adams and) off Goat Island, (we) let go the tug Brenton. Then with a little help from a couple of the revelers, we heisted up the big Main S’l & Fore S’l,  topped the gaffs, then backed her around on her rudder and headed out past Fort Adams & Castle Hill. Put on the Stay S’l & Jib, sheeted-in and headed for New Bedford.               — ‘Haulin’ Lumber’, as the saying goes.      We essentially single handed Ernestina with no crew but for Lopes and one other all the way to New Bedford to a position off Brooklyn Rock near where the dredged  channel begins.   Being so short handed, she was rather a bear to handle,  ’jibe” in the fresh breeze and to “jack-ass’ around from one tack to the other.                                                                           Arriving sometime after dark some twelve hours later, and not about to attempt sailing Ernestina sans engine in through the Hurricane Barrier, we took the tug Flushing along side, then brought the vessel into New Bedford Harbor to the dock amid a large, gala reception.

Our job was done; We quietly departed Ernestina in the same quiet manner in which we had  come to the vessel;  no fanfare; no one really the wiser.

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Captain Fisher contacted us when he read the account of that day.

( The fact of the matter is that indeed Sanchez Towing did not tow Ernestina from Newport to New Bedford on that day as purported; she was sailed over there by two Mass. Maritime Academy Grads,  one a U.S. Merchant Marine Captain/ First Class Pilot; the other a former U.S.Navy Captain ………..         ………  and it was all quite a ride.  )

So, that more or less accounts for the mystery how the Ernestina made the run from Newport over to New Bedford that day, 28 August 1982

Five years ago Chet Brigham published Phoenix of the Seas, a new up-to-date history of Ernestina-Morrissey. The book was very important as SEMA began the fundraising campaign to fund some of the work on Phase I. We have learned that at the age of 91, Chet passed away last fall.

He wrote five books on Gloucester maritime history and art, drawing heavily on archival materials in the Cape Ann Museum.

While working on Phoenix of the Seas he also drew from the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Collection at the Claire T. Carney Library Archives and Special Collections at the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth. Phoenix of the Seas includes many photos from both of these archives.

As we approach the celebration of our Nation’s beginnings 244 years ago, we must consider where we are now. The statement below shared by Laura Pires-Hester, past Chairwoman of the Ernestina Commission and Julius Britto, President of Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association reflects on Ernestina-Morrissey’s place in history, in the present and in the future.

An Open Moment

Most Americans today would agree that this is a momentous period for us—as individuals, as a country, and as a people.  We have seen too many senseless deaths of African Americans, especially African-American males, at the hands of police officers.  While several of these names are now well-known, we have also been reminded of the names of those less well-known or totally forgotten.  We have seen how this moment has brought to the forefront our country’s centuries-old “Black/White” challenges, and how the phrase and movement Black Lives Matter has crystallized those challenges.  Corporations, community organizations, educational institutions, sports associations, faith leaders and faith-based institutions and others have acknowledged the painful reality of this moment and the need for change, including within their own walls.  Some have also declared their own specific action commitments.  Different sectors of our society are not only demanding “what must be done” but also resolving “what we will do.”

What does Ernestina-Morrissey have to do with the age of Black Lives Matter?  What can this 1894 Gloucester Schooner now being reconstructed to resume active sailing tell us? 

Ernestina-Morrissey returned to the state of her birthplace as the extraordinary gift from newly-independent Republic of Cape Verde in 1982, in explicit acknowledgement of the centuries-old ties between the African country and the “people of the United States”.   Her return crew, composed of Black and White/Cape Verdean and U.S. Citizens both men and one woman and led by Cape Verdean Captain Marcus Nascimento Lopes, demonstrated and honored the diversity of her history and future.  Over the decades between her birth and repatriation, hundreds of people and organizations played significant roles in her history.  Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey is alive today because Black People and White People listened to and learned about each other’s histories, hurts, and aspirations; challenged each other; acknowledged their similarities and differences; and collaborated with each other.

We believe that at this critical moment many are seeking opportunities for bridge-building, boundary-crossing, and more authentic listening to each other, especially toward the goal of building a more just society for all.  We believe that Ernestina-Morrissey’s return to sailing can help provide such opportunities, especially for young people of all ethnicities but also for people of all ages.  This conviction comes not from wishful thinking but from actual experience of utilizing Ernestina-Morrissey as educational platform, cultural ambassador, intercultural and interracial relations educator, youth developer, etc.  In the fast-changing environment of 2020 and beyond—with issues of social justice and local and global survival concerns at peak level—Ernestina-Morrissey’s powerful potentials are limitless.

This is a powerful “open moment” in our nation when people from all perspectives and histories are listening to, and hearing, other people and experiences perhaps for the first time.  There is much to be done and no one person or entity can do it alone.  But everyone and every entity can do a part.  We are excited about Ernestina-Morrissey’s sailing again, educating again, bringing people together again, telling her distinguished story again, and playing her part to help unite people of all colors around the world.

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Polly Zajac, SEMA Director and an educator on the sailing Ernestina has been running a fundraiser for Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey.  She has been making facial masks to help curb the spread of COVID-19.  Some have links to Ernestina, some have a nautical theme, there is a floral print, and there is a Houses of Hogwarts print.  100% of the sales will go directly to the ship! They are $6 for 1 and $10 for 2.  There is a postage charge of $1.50 for up to 4 masks.  If you’re in the NB area, she is  happy to get out of the house and drop them off to you!

There are several designs in the inventory and a link to the choices and the  ORDER FORM HERE.

Here are some samples:

There are several more designs in the inventory and a link to the choices and the ORDER FORM HERE.

Jose Centeio, Chair of the Schooner Ernestina Commission, welcomed DCR’s newly-appointed Commissioner to the recent Commission meeting.

DCR Commissioner Jim Montgomery and Ernestina Commissioner Jose Centeio

Commissioner Montgomery is committed to seeing the Ernestina-Morrissey project to completion and to a smooth transition to Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

From a February 5 release from the Baker-Polito

“Jim Montgomery, Commissioner, Department of Conservation and Recreation

Jim Montgomery has served as Interim Commissioner of DCR since September 2019.

He joined the Baker-Polito Administration in 2016 as Director of Administration & Finance for the Department of Conservation and Recreation.  Prior to that time, Montgomery served in the same capacity for the City of Boston’s Emergency Medical Services, and previously served as the Mayor of Taylorville, Illinois from 1997 to 2005.

Montgomery received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Millikin University, and a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.”

Massachusetts Residents!

All Hands on Deck, A Call To Action!
Contact (call, write a letter, email) your state representative TODAY to support this bill which enables Ernestina-Morrissey to sail again!
An Act to Preserve the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey ( Bill S.2328)
This bill has passed the Massachusetts Senate and and has the Governor’s support. It is currently before the House of Representatives.  The bill will transfer the vessel from the Department of Conservation and Recreation to Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
The Academy will operate and maintain Ernestina-Morrissey and use her for training their cadets as well as providing educational programs, including sailing programs, to the public.
Please contact your Representative and let them know that you want this bill to be acted on NOW! so that work in the shipyard can resume and Ernestina-Morrissey can be sailing and serving the Commonwealth SOON !

You can find the contact information for your Representative here:
https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

and Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo   https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/RAD1

Looking forward to a 2020 when we will once again see fireworks bloom through Ernestina-Morrissey’s shrouds!

You still have time to make your 2019 tax-deductible donation to The Annual Appeal.

Just click the yellow Donate button on the right!

AND:

We have 3981 Facebook Followers. Share this post and ask your friends to follow the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association page. Let’s start 2020 with 4000 followers!

and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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We hope you have been enjoying the WoodenBoat series “A Schooner for the Ages — The six charmed lives of ERNESTINA-MORRISSEY ”  The final Part 3 is available now!  It tells the story of the current rehabilitation.  We are looking forward to her launch and for Ernestina-Morrissey to begin writing “the rest of the story”

If you don’t have a subscription to WoodenBoat, get one at your nearest newsstand or you can get a print or digital issue online from WoodenBoat. You can get back issues there too, including the Sept./Oct. issue with the first installment covering the Fishing/Arctic eras and the Nov./Dec. issue with the Cape Verdean and Education eras.