More than a ship
Schooner Ernestina is a powerful place to teach and a compelling place to learn.
The vessel’s educational programs and seminars are tailored to meet the specific needs of schools, colleges and other educational and cultural organizations.
The ship continues to make history as a cultural resource rich in tradition and diversity, often serving as a memorable setting for civic, social and corporate events.
On February 5, 1894, a single line in the Gloucester Daily Times recorded an addition to the Massachusetts fishing fleet:
“The new schooner for J.F. Wonson and Co. has been named Effie M. Morrissey.”
This marked the commonplace birth of a schooner that would become famous not only as Grand Banks fisher, but also as arctic expeditionary vessel under the command of Capt. Robert Abram Bartlett and World War II survey vessel under Commander Alexander Forbes. After a galley fire in 1947 the MORRISSEY was raised and renamed ERNESTINA to serve in the trans-Atlantic Cape Verdean packet trade operated by Henrique Mendes. In 1982 she was given by the Republic of Cape Verde to the people of the United States as a symbol of the close ties between the lands.
What is special about Ernestina?
- Only surviving 19th century Essex-built Grand Banks fishing schooner
- Only surviving sailing transatlantic packet schooner to carry immigrants to America
- Set farthest north record for any wooden sailing vessel in 1940
- Named in New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park enabling legislation
- One of two remaining sailing Arctic exploration vessels
- Recognized as a National Historic Landmark by the Department of Interior with award winning restoration
- Owned by the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and placed in the Department of Conservation and Recreation
- Inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard as a Sailing School Vessel (1986) & Passenger Vessel (1994)