After seven years of repairs, Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey set to return to New Bedford

NEW BEDFORD — While a model of the ship has been on display in the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the real Ernestina-Morrissey is scheduled to arrive in her home port of New Bedford later this month or early next month.

Restoration of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey has been underway in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, for the past seven years.

While in New Bedford, the Ernestina-Morrissey will dock at the New Bedford State Pier, where she will be made available for educational programming and cultural events such as Cape Verdean Recognition Week. She will then return to her home base at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

The Massachusetts Maritime Academy is developing a curriculum for local students to take part in educational programs as well as its own cadets. She will have her own docking space for the winter in the space currently occupied by the Nantucket Light ship.

Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford, and Rep. Antonio Cabral, D-New Bedford, secured state support to make the return possible, and Montigny filed special legislation ensuring the commonwealth’s official vessel will be cared for by the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

The legislation to preserve the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey permitted the commonwealth to receive significant funding from private philanthropy, saving taxpayers millions of dollars in renovation costs.

One of the conditions is that she must be docked in New Bedford at least 90 days per calendar year. Restoration of the historic vessel was possible thanks to a combination of legislative earmarks and generous donations from philanthropists Robert Hildreth and the late H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest.

The Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association (SEMA) also provided significant fundraising support. To follow her progress, check out the association’s website that shows she is presently docked at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy after passing through the Cape Cod Canal.

The law also honors the strong ties between the historic vessel and local Cape Verdean community while ensuring New Bedford remains her official homeport.

“The New Bedford community has cared for and maintained the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey for decades,” Montigny said in a news release. “It is almost hard to believe that after decades of securing millions of state dollars in earmarks and legislation, she will finally sail into New Bedford, fully restored and ready to navigate the open seas. From day one, I have been determined that the schooner will remain in New Bedford and honor her Cape Verdean heritage.”

The Ernestina-Morrissey transported Cape Verdean immigrants to the United States, and the people of Cape Verde gifted this beautiful ship to the people of Massachusetts. He said she is a tremendous source of pride for our local Cape Verdean community.

“I am very proud of the role that I and Sen. Montigny have played in building appreciation and support for this historic ship,” Cabral said in the release. “The Ernestina-Morrissey is a living testament to the connection between the people of Massachusetts and Cabo Verde.

“Its future as a floating classroom and training vessel for Mass Maritime will ensure that history — and the importance the Ernestina-Morrissey holds not only to the Cape Verdean community, but to New Bedford seamen — will not be lost,” he said.

Standard-Times staff writer Kathryn Gallerani can be reached at kgallerani@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @kgallreporter. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey to make return to New Bedford