Transit from New Bedford to Providence

Here is a write up for the web page, submitted by a Lesley University participant, Benjamin Frank.

The Ernestina left New Bedford around 5pm on Friday evening. She motored out with 12 crew and a new cast of characters from Lesley University and dropped anchor later that evening in the Sakonnet River.

In terms of weather it was a relatively calm night. However, en route the bow watch reported to the helmsman that several barrels were floating straight-ahead of the Ernestina and not far off. Waves and the color of the barrels had prevented them from being spotted in time for the ship to make a smooth avoidance. The crew of the Ernestina set about making a quick course change and the barrels were missed by a few feet. In passing it appeared that the barrels supported a substantial netting which would have entangled the vessel and taken the crew and a puzzled group of passengers quite some time to free the ship. The night watch was quiet except for a few groans from those newly acquainted with the sea and reports of snoring which were unconfirmed until the following evening.

Waking came early Saturday and sails were hoisted before sunrise by both passengers and crew. A superb spread of breakfast including pancakes and fresh fruit were had soon after and then the ship's morning duties were performed. Heads were cleaned and decks hosed. A bit of free time followed and some students sleepily retreated back to their bunks while others began interviews with the highly knowledgeable crew about maritime culture and respective roles aboard the ship.

Students grouped together throughout the day to have classes about topics such as celestial navigation and the history of the Ernestina in Cape Verde. A wealth of information was offered up by the crew and they deserve much praise for enduring the drifting ears and eyes of students enthralled with the new sensation of being on a century old ship at sail.

It was a fantastic day of sailing, weather was kind and generous with wind and occasional waves breaking over the bow. The Ernestina tacked back and forth up the East Passage of Narragansett Bay towards Providence, reaching dock by Fox Point around 3pm.

The Lesley students left the ship for the evening taking the streets of Providence by storm. Finding themselves getting kicked out of various museums, preposterous enough to close at 5pm, they headed back to the ship for dinner. After another trek to downtown Providence for an evening of WaterFire, students and assorted crew headed back to the Ernestina for rest and the night watch.

It was a reserved night of watch on deck fielding questions from inquisitive passerby and shoeing away rats looking to freeload out to the high seas. When morning rolled around a rested ship awoke to another fabulous breakfast that was pulled straight from a New York Deli. Bagels, lox and capers. Morning duties went off without a hitch and at 12am Lesley students left the ship to its crew for a voyage to Long Island. The students will not soon forget a fantastic time at sea and many thanks to the crew of the Ernestina for a great trip.

Captain: Sophie Morse
Program Coordinator: Inette Rex