A Story for America's 250th: Cape Verde & an old Gloucester Schooner

What connection could there possibly be between a 130-year-old Gloucester fishing ship and a chain of islands off the west coast of Africa?

Massachusetts and the Cape Verde are on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean but have more in common that you might expect. As President John F. Kennedy once said. “The sea does not separate us; it unites us.”

The bond between Cape Verde and the Commonwealth goes back at least to the 1850’s. The chapter I’m writing about today… began in the 1940’s.

During World War II, the drought-prone islands had become quite isolated. Tens of thousands Cape Verdeans died of starvation during the war, and afterwards, the economy of the Portuguese colony was devastated.

Around that time, Henrique Mendez found himself in New Bedford, MA working on a sailing ship. While learning to manage the riggs, he had an idea for helping his fellow Cape Verdeans. What if he bought a vessel and sailed it to C.V.I. with a boat load of donated used goods?

Henrique couldn’t afford much of a boat but that didn’t stop him. He’d pile cargo onto an old boat, sail the ocean, trade goods for a pittance, visit his C.V.I. family, and return to New Bedford. Then he’d get a new job and plan the next trip, buying a different old boat if the one he had was worn out.   

In 1946, while searching for his next vessel, Henrique came across Gloucester schooner that had seen better days.  Her name was the S.S. Effie M. Morrissey and shortly before she had caught fire while docked New York. The N.Y.C. Fire Department had doused her with so much water that she sank. Later they raised her back up.

Some thought she’d be a total loss, but fate intervened and the Morrissey was put up for sale – “as is, with no working engine”. But was she even seaworthy?

Determined, Henrique bought the battered ship anyway. And since he couldn’t afford to fill her with fuel, he threw away the useless engine. After renaming the vessel after his daughter, the Ernestina went on to make dozens of trans-Atlantic voyages.

A few Cape Verdeans always came back with to New Bedford with Henrique. Many worked local cranberry bogs, and some stayed in Massachusetts. Much of today’s American-Cape Verde community traces back to such voyages.

As it turns out, the Ernestina was the last ship to voluntarily bring immigrants to American shores.

If you assumed the schooner is no longer riding the waves of the Atlantic, you’d be wrong. In the early 1980’s, the Republic of Cabo Verde gifted the ship to Massachusetts where – long story short – she stole the hearts of new generations and became the official vessel of the Commonwealth.

In honor of her 130 years of sailing the north Atlantic, she is now known as the S.S.V. Ernestina-Morrissey.

And now for America’s 250^th birthday celebration! Parades of Tall Ships are taking place in several east coast port cities and… the Schooner Ernestina-Morrisey will be sailing in the New York and Boston Sail250 events!

At the same time, FIFA World Cup 2026 is in full swing.

Among other storied teams – and their unforgettable fans - Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks are making their own history. Led by an Irishman whose father hails from Cape Verde, this debutante team is a force to be reckoned with. They surprised everyone with draws against Spain and Uruguay, and fans from the Cape Verde Islands, Ireland, New England and elsewhere are sitting on the edge of their seats cheering for a team that is beating the odds. Check out the game this evening, 6/26/26 at 8 pm ET. Go Blue Sharks!

Thank you to everyone who is bringing us good vibes!

Let’s also take a moment to reflect on 250 years of people building America. May we always strive to reflect the best of humankind.

To those attending Sail250, be sure and check out the S.S.V. Ernestina-Morrissey. And know that this Gloucester fishing vessel is cherished not only in America but in every corner of the north Atlantic!

Josette Abruzzini/STEAM Educator/Writer builds bridges and nudges perspectives. She's a native Canadian and naturalized American who loves sharing the stories of the north Atlantic. That said, she visits her home province of Newfoundland and Labrador at every opportunity.