The Waterfront Historic Area
League
(WHALE) served an initial role for the Ernestina,
beginning in November 1984, that included provision for
office space and support for Ernestina staff,
contributions of approximately $5,000 along with the
donation of the masts in memorial to Charles Dunbar. Dan Moreland
guided the restoration effort with removal of stone ballast and the
initial gutting of the ship followed by design and installation of
knees, bulkheads, lead ballast, etc.
The
image to the right shows First Mate Julia Brotherton and deckhand
Craig Walsh rigging the jumbo in Spring 1984. Julia did some of the
initial research and writing to help publicize the ship and programs.
The
Schooner Ernestina Commission operated out of
WHALEs office for the 1985 season before moving
into an upstairs office at 30 Union Street in winter
1985/86.
Charles E. "Chick" Dunbar was an
avid and experienced sailor who loved the waters of
Buzzards Bay and became an enthusiastic supporter of
WHALE. (Waterfront Historic Area League) After his death
in 1981, his wife, Anne Dunbar, wanted to contribute to
WHALE in memory of her husband. She felt the Ernestina
would have captured her husbands heart more than
any other WHALE project and provided two new masts to
Ernestina. She felt these two masts, that will return to
Ernestina the grace and speed of her original design, a
most appropriate memorial.
Norman Gomes (left)
rigs the main gaff in spring 1984. Norman was one of the crew during
the crossing from Cape Verde in 1982.
Tommy Grace (playing flute on
left) served as mate on Ernestina
and has gone on to receive his captain's license today.
Ballast is moved up (above)
and out (below)
Norman Gomes and David
Huntley carving tamarack knees to add to the deck structure.
The new sign is mounted at 30
Union Street.
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