Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey departed her Boothbay Harbor berth at the Hodgdon pier (formerly Wotton’s Wharf) on Thursday, Nov. 17, at around 3:15 p.m.
After many years of rebuilding and restoration the ship heads to her new/old home in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where she has been designated by the Department of Interior as a National Historic Landmark and part of the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park.
Ernestina-Morrissey will be utilized as a training and teaching ship by the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Students and others will learn operations and skills aboard the 156-foot vessel.
Eleven (give or take) official crew managed the trip from Boothbay Harbor to New Bedford. They will work aboard upon arrival to prepare for visitors, celebrations and upcoming adventures and training programs, under the watchful eye of Captain Tiffany Krihwan, a veteran, with ample big ship experience.
Ernestina-Morrissey was built in 1894 at James and Tarr Shipyard in Essex, Massachusetts for the Gloucester fishing fleet. Captain Robert Bartlett sailed the ship to within 600 miles of the North Pole. She is the oldest surviving Grand Banks fishing schooner and one of only two remaining Fredonia-style schooners, the most famous type of American fishing vessels.
In 1948, the Morrissey became the Ernestina-Morrissey and was sailed to Cape Verde, Africa. For the next several decades the Ernestina sailed between the U.S. and Cape Verde.
In 1982, with help from the Cape Verdian government and interested U.S. individuals, the Ernestina set sail from Cape Verde for its last trans-Atlantic voyage to New England.
In all, this project at Bristol Marine has been an historic effort by many talented shipwrights, designers, sailmakers, fundraisers, government and school support with a spiritual commitment to classic maritime history. The Ernestina-Morrissey is a testimonial to creative collaboration – a united act of love.
Note of interest! The Ernestina- Morrissey and crew arrived safely at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy dock on Friday morning, Nov. 18 – a good voyage but cold, said Captain Krihwan.