New Bedford’s Historic Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Offering Free Tours Friday

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — Free guided tours of the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey will take place this Friday at New Bedford State Pier.

The Ernestina-Morrissey is returning to New Bedford this week in conjunction with Cape Verdean Recognition Week, which began on June 30. The week celebrates the independence of the island nation Cabo Verde.

Senator Mark Montigny’s (D-New Bedford) office said “ensuring the vessel’s presence in the city during Cape Verdean Recognition Week has been a top priority for (Montigny).”

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The state-owned vessel, maintained by the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, was the ship that carried immigrants from Cabo Verde to Massachusetts throughout the mid-1940s. It was also used as both a fishing and exploring vessel. In 1977, it was returned to New Bedford in a collaboration between both nations and their citizens.

In 2022, the Ernestina-Morrissey again returned to New Bedford after a seven-year refurbishing in Boothbay, Maine.

READ MORE: Ernestina-Morrissey Returns to New Bedford in Grand Fashion

The schooner first launched in 1894, and is the official state vessel of Massachusetts. Montigny filed legislation in 2019 to complete its restoration. In 2020, Sen. Montigny and Rep. Antonio Cabral (D-New Bedford) worked to ensure it would remain as such with her homeport in New Bedford.

The legislation also required “New Bedford” to remain emblazoned on the vessel, and ensured she would be made available in the city for at least 90 days per year.

“The Ernestina is a treasured gift from the people of Cape Verde that reflects the strong, enduring bond between our nations,” Montigny said. “It has been an absolute priority that she set sail for home to celebrate such an important time in our community, and we really look forward to the upcoming festivities.”

The Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey will be docked at New Bedford State Pier with free guided tours available on Friday, July 5 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.