Charting the Past and Present of the Ernestina-Morrissey Schooner

Humble Beginnings

The Sea Bags Heritage Collection brings together the rich history of sailing, sail making, and coastal life. Handcrafted from pedigreed sails of historic schooners and sailing yachts, each bag is limited in quantity and features unique trims and rare, upcycled sail cloth. Our recent acquisition is no different. The Ernestina-Morrissey schooner, built in 1894 at the James & Tarr shipyard in Essex, MA, is a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration, international friendship, and the preservation of maritime heritage.

The Morrissey primarily operated as a dory trawler, with a crew of 20 Gloucester fishermen rowing and sailing 10 dories away from the ship to trawl for all manner of North Atlantic fish. When the dories filled up, the fishermen would return to the Morrissey to offload their catch into its impressive hull, recorded to have once held 320,000 pounds of fish in a single voyage.

Arctic Explorer

In 1926, after sailing under numerous captains on successful fishing voyages up and down the New England and Nova Scotian coasts, Captain Bob Bartlett raised funds to pursue his dream of leading an exploratory trip to Greenland. Thus began two decades of Arctic exploration for the Morrissey schooner, during which a Montana cowboy successfully roped wild polar bears for the Bronx Zoo and author David Binney Putnam sailed along to pen the children's book David Goes to Greenland. Throughout its voyages the crew of the Morrissey collaborated with the Smithsonian Institute to carry numerous students and scientists conducting Arctic research. But arguably its most famous journey occurred in 1940 when the Morrissey set a record for sailing farther north than ever before, reaching within 578 nautical miles of the North Pole—a nationally celebrated milestone. The schooner's arctic experience ultimately proved valuable when war struck the European theatre, as it was tasked with carrying supplies to Arctic naval and air bases as well as conducting hydrographic work from 1942 to 1945.

Rising from the Flames

When Captain Bartlett died in 1946, the Morrissey's days in the arctic ceased. The ship was subsequently sold to the Jackson brothers of New York City, who outfitted the ship with intentions to carry mail and passengers in an inter-island trade in the South Pacific. After an initial failed voyage, which necessitated further repairs, the Morrissey caught fire while docked in 1947. Flames swept through the interior and the 156-foot schooner sank under the constant stream of water from the New York Fire Department, sinking the Southern Pacific plans of the Jacksons along with it.

Thankfully, hope sprang eternal, and the Morrissey rose from the depths with a new owner, Henrique Mendes; a new name, Ernestina; and a new destination, Cape Verde. Mendes had the Ernestina repaired in New Bedford, MA where the auxiliary engine, critical to Arctic exploration, was removed and the ship was made seaworthy again. In 1948, the schooner made way to Cape Verde under only sail power, carrying 70 tons of cargo bound for the islands.

The Packet Trade

Ernestina would go on to cross the Atlantic dozens of times, ferrying passengers and cargo between Cape Verde and the US. The schooner was the last of a lineage of Cape Verde packets and the final sailing ship, in regular service, to carry immigrants across the Atlantic to the US. The Ernestina established itself as a valuable and celebrated lifeline for the Cape Verdean people, even after retiring from trans-Atlantic voyages in 1965, the schooner continued inter-island travel, delivering relief supplies and aid between islands until 1974. A deteriorating hull and masts led to decreasing utilization in the years leading up to 1974, when the Ernestina was ultimately replaced and retired as a packet ship. Various historical societies took interest in the Ernestina and ventured to raise the funds to repair the schooner and return it to its home. However, it wasn't until 1978 that the Cape Verde president gifted the schooner to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in recognition of the long-standing friendship between the two. A combined Cape Verdean and American crew sailed the Ernestina across the Atlantic one last time in 1982, spending 38 days at sea, before reaching America and returning Ernestina to the land of its construction north of Boston.

A Cherished Historic Landmark

Now named the Ernestina-Morrissey to best reflect its storied, 129-year history, the schooner has undergone extensive preservation work since the day it returned to America. In 1990 the Secretary of Interior designated the Ernestina-Morrissey as a National Historic Landmark, and it has since sailed up and down the east coast, returning to the same ports the schooner had visited over 100 years ago, invigorating a new generation of sailors. It's this incredible storied history and connection to New England that compelled Sea Bags' design team to create a limited edition heritage line of totes when we came into possession of these legendary sails. The canvas sail bags feature leather and brass accents, a certificate of authenticity, and are individually numbered. There were only 40 made, buy yours today!

Learn about our prior Heritage launches >