B watch, led by Amanda Lake, took charge getting Ernestina to an anchorage close to New Bedford. Off Ricketsons Point we let go the Stbd anchor, and struck the sails. Only 8 crew were on deck to handle the Mainsail which came down smartly.

The forecast called for strong NW breeze at dawn. All hands were weary after a long 80 mile trip from Greenport Long Island. Anchor watch took the deck, and those who could jumped to their racks below.

At 0600 all hands rose to a hearty breakfast, and hauled back the anchor. We made our way to the Hurricane Barrier using the Cummins Diesel.

The Harbor is more crowded these days because of greater restrictions on the number of Fishing Vessels that can work a season, and the number of days they can be at sea. More boats remain tied to the dock, and the harbor is crowded. Fishermans wharf is packed with scallopers, and draggers.

As we came to our dock on the New Bedford State Pier,the wind filled in briskly from the North; trying to keep the schooner off the concrete deck at the Ferry Terminal is a tough thing to do in this breeze. We managed to clear the large concrete Dolphin, but touched a steel fishing vessel that pretty much blocked acces to our dock (the scalloper was rafted outside a sister ship, and unable to move because its machinery was dismantled). Ernestina suffered a little damage to the starboard rail forward (soon to be repaired by the ship's crew). In the end we arrived safely at our dock.

At 0900 the students from the Ross school packed their bags, and took group photos, and prepared to get on a bus for their return trip to Long Island. Thanks to Heather Tetrault and Tiffany Smythe for all their efforts to organize this trip!

Here's the writeup for the trip from one of the participants:

As we, 6th and 7th graders from the Ross School, stepped onto the Schooner Ernestina, we knew we were going to have a great time.

We left Greenport, expecting to arrive in New Bedford in the evening, before we had to go to bed. As we sailed, we were all excited to stand watch at the helm and bow, do boat checks, study plankton, climb aloft and up on the bowsprit, and just be treated with the responsibilities of a crewmember.

All of us got a good idea of navigation, and could tell which way we were going (NE for the most part) and in what direction the wind was blowing from by the end of the sail. We also learned that there was not as much wind as expected and we were going to have to sail into the night. Most of us were excited with this news, hoping to stand watch at night.

B watch took charge of anchoring. As some drifted off to sleep, and others tried to, we were all recalling the events from that day. All memories were good, and as we awoke to a great breakfast we were ready for that day's work. It didn't seem that bad. We pulled up the anchor and docked, while us students tried to be as quiet as we could. Actually, the morning went so fast, that many of us didn't want to leave. Unfortunately, it was time to pack up and leave, and after final good-byes we knew that this would be one of the trips that would be stored in our heads for a long time.

Thank you Ms. Smythe and Ms. Tetrault for taking us on this wonderful trip, but all of us can't express enough gratitude to the Schooner Ernestina and her wonderful crew.

~Written by Larissa Gaias, Ross School Student~

By 1000 the crew had turned to ships work the remainder of the day.

Captain: Willi Bank
Program: Coordinator: Crista Mellican