Schooner Ernestina soaked up overnight.
All looks great! When
wooden ships are hauled out for a period of time
they dry out to some extent. Thus, for Ernestina
during our weeks on the railway. As the ship went
in yesterday we started a careful monitoring of
the bilge (lowest part of the ship) for water
influx (at normal rates) so that we can compare
it to flows as we get underway. Ernestina is back
to normal and then some.
At 10 am US Coast Guard
inspectors arrived to begin a careful examination
of the performance of Ernestina under sail. The
wind is blowing out of the North at 20 knots and
we know that we'll be able to give the ship a
good test.
We departed the dock in late
morning and motored out to set a double-reefed
main, foresail and jumbo. Ernestina was able to
call on help from Coast Guard once again as Carl
Moberg, John Winter, Will Hart, Christine
Schrader and David Campion hauled with a will on
the halyard alongside our crew and volunteers.
You can see our track in the chart to the right
as we tacked back and forth and sailed off the
wind for a time.
We sailed in with full
approvals and confident we had tackled the recent
problems that led to the haulout and have a green
light to sail on with our schedule!
As the ship returned to the dock, Capt. Morse
stepped off with relief from Capt. Amanda
Madeira. Now, this was a longer stint than Sophie
expected a month ago but she stayed on to see the
ship through. Great work by her and the crew!
We'd like to extend our sincere thanks to the
US Coast Guard for their service and commitment
during the rescue effort for Ernestina as well as
throughout the passage back to New Bedford from
Greenport and during the repairs.
Now, back to programs!
Independent Schools
Association of the Central States (ISACS)
Friday, August 23
through Sunday, August 25
Transit New Bedford to Boston
This afternoon was a flurry of activity,
getting every last bit of our preparations
completed [almost!] in time for the arrival of
the ISACS group. This group of young diversity
leaders represent 5 independent schools all over
the Midwest and California, and they have been
selected by the Independent Schools Association
of the Central States for this leadership retreat
and teambuilding experience focused on issues of
diversity in their independent secondary schools
and in their lives.
Trip leader and organizer John Braman,
president of ISACS, is no stranger to Ernestina.
His history with the ship reaches back to the
Cape Verde Islands in the late 70's and early
80's and later during his time serving as
Massachusetts Department of Education designee on
the Schooner Ernestina Commission in the 90's.
Tom Goux greeted the group and escorted their
bus ride down to New Bedford as they flew in from
around the country into Boston. After a visit to
historic sites in New Bedford, they joined the
ship for dinner onboard.
As the crew finished installing our new
block-foam flotation below the fo'c's'le sole,
the students, representing 5 independent schools
throughout the Midwest and California, gathered
around the wheel to get to know each other and
talk about their goals and aspirations-for this
trip and for their lives. With this group, the
conversation immediately delved into deeply held
personal goals, beliefs, and dreams. As crew
members finished their work and joined the group,
we soon knew we were in for highly substantive
and focused program with this group!
Around 2100 we gathered for introductions to
watch groups and brief hold orientations; then a
weary gang settled in their bunks for
sleep-punctuated for most by participation in
hour-long dock watches through the night.
Captain: Amanda Madeira
Program Coodinator: MaryHelen Gunn
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Jessica Bryant pulls nettles through as the
double reef is put in the Mains'l.
The jumbo goes aloft.
Everyone on board pulled with a will including
US Coast Guard inspectors during the shakedown
sail.
Capt. Sophie Morse and Program Coordinator
Steve Kirk sailing with a double reefed main.
The Massachusetts and Cape Verdean flags fly
aloft on the main mast rig.
John Braman and the ISACS team gather on the
stern for introductory activities.
The ISACS team gathered as Program Coordinator
MaryHelen Gunn describes the some of the upcoming
activities for the next two days.
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