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The
Cape Verde interest was exemplified by the decision in
1977 to give Ernestina to the "people of the
United States." Speaking on behalf of President
Aristides Pereira the Foreign Minister said, "The
Government of Cape Verde offers the Ernestina as a
gift to the United States of America as an expression of
the high regard of the people of Cape Verde for the
people of the United States and we deliver the vessel to
the State of Massachusetts as a representative of the
people of the United States." This was a significant
gesture, bespeaking goodwill but also acknowledging the
centuries-old and vital connection between the two
peoples, and the understood expectation that the gift
from a small and economically poor country would be
honored and protected. As expressed by Ambassador Andrew
Young, Cape Verde is to be saluted for its "generous
return of a piece of our common heritage."
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Meanwhile,
in Cape Verde, the exacting work of restoration and
repairs was begun. Expert visitors have marveled at the
high quality of workmanship and organizers of the
restoration have referred as much as possible to original
plans and drawings of the rugged Schooner. Wood was
brought from Lisbon and the interiors of Guinea-Bissau.
Carpenters at the Mindelo Shipyard worked carefully to
remove badly eroded planks and beams while merging with
the new whatever was possible. Thus the usable past was
identified and preserved. The Cummins Engineer noted with
amazement the ingenuity of the Cape Verdean carpenters
who could not run down to the nearest hardware store for
just the right nail, wrench or other tool.
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