A small boat was was rowed ten miles to Brava by crewmember, Antonio Fernandez, to obtain help. An SOS was then telegraphed to other islands and the Madalan rushed to tow her safely to port. The Senhora da Areias then towed Ernestina to Mindelo where she waited nine months for new masts from Portugal. When they finally arrived, George Karontonis, a Greek who had settled in Cape Verde, arranged for Ernestina to go alongside a visiting Danish ship and use her booms to raise the masts. The two masts were transported over by Coal Barge no. 49 of the Miller Company and within one day both masts were stepped; one before lunch and one in the afternoon.

Ernestina alongside in Mindelo waiting for masts Photo by Marcelino

Pedro Evora, who up until then had been Ernestina’s captain, had a disagreement with Henrique Mendes, so Lucino Fortes was made skipper on the day the new masts were raised. Capt. Fortes subsequently took the Ernestina to Dakar with cargo and passengers during a calm voyage where passengers could remain on deck. Upon his return, Capt. Fortes was offered a permanent position with the Shell Company, which he accepted.

In late 1952 Ernestina, working again, took students from Fogo and Brava to the high schools in Praia and Mindelo; but it was too late to make a trip to the United States.