Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Finally Returning Home to New Bedford
Tim Weisberg | 1420 WBSM | November 16, 2022
https://wbsm.com/new-bedford-schooner-ernestina-morrissey-returning-home/
New Bedford’s historic Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey is coming home.
The vessel underwent a seven-year complete restoration in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, thanks to state support secured by Senator Mark Montigny and Representative Antonio Cabral, philanthropists Robert Hildreth and the late H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest, and the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association.
The Ernestina-Morrissey is the Commonwealth’s official vessel and will return to New Bedford State Pier later this month and will be under the care of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
With her strong ties to the SouthCoast’s Cape Verdean community, the vessel will be made available for events such as the annual Cape Verdean Recognition Week, as well as for educational programming.
“From day one, I have been determined that the schooner will remain in New Bedford and honor her Cape Verdean heritage,” Sen. Montigny said. “We can never forget that this vessel transported Cape Verdean immigrants to the United States, and the people of Cape Verde gifted this beautiful ship to the people of Massachusetts to reflect our strong bond. The schooner is a tremendous source of pride for our local Cape Verdean community, and we are excited to finally welcome her home.”
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