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Date: Wednesday, May 23 through Friday, May 26, 2001
Time: Friday 1700 EDT

On Wednesday morning twenty participants from the Sound School of New Haven, CT joined the Ernestina and crew for our first multi day program of the season.  Our new crew came well prepared and enthused.  Having been studying maritime history, literature and seamanship at school, the students now had the opportunity to integrate their knowledge with first hand experience and hone their skills.  A short sail brought us to Peddocks Island in the Boston Harbor Islands where we set anchor early.  From here all hands had the opportunity to launch and row our 19th century style cod fishing dories and gain an appreciation for the hard work of the Banks fishermen. Participants who climbed the ratlins aloft or made their way out on the bow sprit got a glimpse of the Ernestina from a new perspective as well as the surrounding islands and lighthouses of Boston Harbor.  Before turning in for the night, our captain Will Bank shared an overview of our progress for the day and our expected course for the next two as we make our way to the Historical Whaling city of New Bedford.

After taking turns standing anchor watch throughout the night, morning seemed to come early as all hands were needed to raise the mainsail shortly after dawn. Cold drizzle set the standard for the day, but not the tone.  Though the sea going experience can be somewhat distracted by motion sickness, participants still stood watch  and joined in on the Cape Verde, Working on Water and Whale learning stations. When the Cape Cod Canal was cleared and we entered the calm waters of Buzzards Bay, spirits and strength rose as we anticipated clear skies for fridays final stretch.Settling in at anchor in Aucoot Cove off Mattapoisett, we all enjoyed another fantastic meal by steward Laurie Wietzen then relaxed with games, song and stories.

Next morning the Ernestina arrived at Tonnessen Park, New Bedford State Pier in a shining state thanks to the help of all our guest crew members to clean her from one voyage and prepare her for the next.  We had a final chance to share impressions, insights and experiences before we gathered for a last group picture and our participants left our decks for the shores of New Bedford. One final opportunity was waiting them, a visit to the New Bedford Whaling Museum where an overview of this important industry would round off their studies of comparative cultures and impacts of maritime influences.

Thanks to one and all.  We hope to have our Sound School crew aboard in the future!

Captain:  Willi Bank
Program Coordinator:  Inette Rex

We would like to thank Lotus and IBM for donation of software, hardware and funding to enable regular electronic updates from the ship.

NOAA Chart is provided courtesy of Maptech using Cruising Navigator 4.3 and grabbing the image using Grabit Pro 6.02.

 
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Copyright 1997-2001
Schooner Ernestina
89 North Water Street, P.O. Box 2010, New Bedford, MA 02741-2010
phone 508.992.4900 -- fax 508.984.7719
www.ernestina.org

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