1894  
1894a  
1905  
1912  
1914  
1926  
1931  
1940  
1942  
1946  
1947  
1948  
1949  
1950
1951-1952  
1953  
1954  
1955  
1956  
1957  
1958  
1959-1963  
1964-1965  
1965-1970  
1972-1975  
1976  
1977  
1978  
1979  
1980  
1982  
1983  
1984-1985  
1986  
1987  
1988  
1989  
1990  
1991  
1992  
1993  
1994  
1995  
1996  
1997  
1998  
1999  
2000  
2001  
2002  
2003  
   
   
   
   
   

Ernestina’s second trip to the U.S. was made in 1950 with eleven passengers including six women and three children and fourteen crewmembers. She arrived in Providence with tow assistance from U.S. Coast Guard at Castle Hill on July 18 after a 38-day passage under the command of Richardo Azerado Pinheiro. 

Henrique Mendes taught his passengers some basic English phrases and the Pledge of Allegiance. They had fresh vegetables, lobsters, live pigs, a lamb, goat and cow aboard; and a good cook named Michael Rosario. They celebrated all the saints’ days and everyone’s birthday, the young sailors made cakes and serenaded the women. A romance started between Henrique’s son, Arnaldo and his wife-to-be, Maria.

Once again the U.S. Immigrations and Naturalization Service detained fourteen crew members and three young children until citizenship status could be determined. The children were later allowed to depart with their mother who was headed for Falmouth, MA and the case was referred to Washington officials.

According to the Providence Journal on October 30, 1950:

Bid Packet Godspeed: Several Hundred at Pier for Religious Sendoff for Ernestina Several hundred persons gathered at the pier near Point Street Bridge this morning to see the two-masted Schooner Ernestina begin its 3500-mile voyage to the Cape Verde Islands.

In charge of the vessel was a new skipper, Capt. Antonio Miguel Evora, 38-year-old Cape Verdean, who came over as first mate when the Ernestina arrived here on July 12. The schooner’s regular master, Capt. Richardo Azerado Pinheiro, 47, died unexpectedly last Tuesday in Rhode Island Hospital and buried only three days ago.

On board to say a last minute good-bye was Capt. Evora’s bride of seven weeks, the former Anna Alves, of 88 Pike Street, Providence. They were married Sept. 11 while Evora was still only first mate on the schooner.

The schooner is carrying, besides its crew of 11, seven male passengers and cargo which consists of mostly used clothing for people in the Island of Brava, destination of the schooner.

Sailing was delayed at least until late afternoon because several of the passengers did not have their papers in order.

The ship was to be towed down the Narragansett Bay by the small tug Laura IV which would bring the vessel to the Brenton Reef Lightship where the Ernestina would raise her sails and begin her long voyage home.

The owner, Henrique Mendes, who is aboard, said he hopes that the northwest winds will take them back in 25 days. On the trip to Providence, the Ernestina took 39 days. Navigator on the trip back will be the owner’s 23-year-old son, Capt. Arnaldo Mendes.

Though the vessel carries in its hold a 16-ton diesel engine, it has no power of its own. The engine, donated by the Church of the Nazarene in Providence, is for a fishing vessel in the Portuguese Islands.

As last minute preparations were made for casting off, a large group of members of the Church of the Nazarene, which has adopted the cause of the Island people and their packet boat, gathered on the dock for religious services and songs.

The Rev. Charlton Gleason, pastor of the church, led the services on dockside with the reading of the 91 Psalm. As customs inspectors, immigration officials and internal revenue agents made their last minute checks, people on the dock were singing "Jesus Savior Pilot Me Over Life’s Tempestuous Sea" lead by the Rev. Armand Doll, a former missionary in Trinidad.

The vessel was at first scheduled to sail with the tide shortly after 10 o’clock but routine clearances delayed it for some time. Mendes said, however, that the vessel, which draws only 11 feet, could sail regardless of the condition of the tide.

The owner said that although there was a calm on Narragansett Bay this morning, they expected good weather beyond the coastal area. He said that the vessel should be back in Providence next May.

Among the passengers on board was Aurelio Costa, 63, of 13 Blackstone Avenue, Pawtucket, who said he is going back to visit his wife. He said he will come back when Ernestina does.

Passengers aboard were Manuel Veiga, 69, of 381 North Main St., Providence; Aurelio Da Costa, 63, of 13 Blackstone Ave., Pawtucket; Laurenso Barbosa, 65, of Bridgeport, CT; Manuel Antonio Avelino, 68, of Taunton; Benjamin Rodriques Garcia, 49, of New Bedford; Casemiro Almeida, 55, of Onset; and Carreca Jose Gonsalves, 72, of New Bedford.

  backmain menunext