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

Updated 7/3/26 to reflect Cape Verde's advancement in FIFA World Cup 2026.

Congrats to the Cape Verde soccer/football team that is garnering much-deserved praise for three draws in this year's exciting FIFA World Cup tournament! Their wins have also garnered one particular question... Where is Cape Verde?

As a person who's been casting a curious eye to the island chain - and its history - for a few months, I'd like to say that I am impressed with how Cape Verdeans have dealt with the challenges that have come their way. They've shown themselves to be remarkably resilient and are building a stronger nation.

I'd like to share part of their story, as the USA and the Cape Verde Islands share a long friendship, as symbolized in a much-cherished tall ship.

As President John F. Kennedy once said. “The sea does not separate us; it unites us.” Massachusetts and the Cape Verde are on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean but the ties between them have been growing since 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, Cape Verdean Henrique Mendes was 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 boat and sailed it to C.V.I. with a load of donated American 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, and he would buy a different old boat when the one he had was worn out - which was often.   

In 1946, while searching for his next vessel, Henrique came across a Gloucester schooner that had seen better days. The S.S. Effie M. Morrissey had recently caught fire while docked in New York Harbor. She'd been doused with so much water that she had sunk, but luckily the N.Y.C. Fire Department were able to raise her back up. Some thought she’d be a total loss, but fate intervened and the Morrissey was put up for sale "as is".

Henrique bought the burnt and battered ship and sailed it across the Atlantic. After renaming the vessel the Ernestina, he made dozens of trans-Atlantic voyages to help his fellow Cape Verdeans.

On each of his return trips, a few Cape Verdeans joined him. Once in New Bedford they often worked the local cranberry bogs. 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!

After decades of trans-Atlantic voyages (without an engine) and also trading among the 10-island chain, the Republic of Cabo Verde gifted the ship to Massachusetts where – long story short – she stole the hearts of new generations of Americans. New Englanders have generously rallied to maintain this last-of-her-kind Gloucester fishing vessel.

Today, after plying the waters of the North Atlantic for over 130 years, the renamed SSV Ernestina-Morrissey is a teaching vessel for Massachusetts Maritime Academy. She is also the official vessel of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!

And now for America’s 250^th birthday celebration, the 110-foot schooner will be sailing in the New York and Boston Sail250 Tall Ships Parade!

At the same time, the debutant Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks are making their own history. They surprised everyone with draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. Fans will be sitting on the edges of their seats cheering for an underdog team that is beating the odds.

As we revel in the good vibes of our nation's 250th, let's also reflect on the many people - both here and abroad - who have helped build America. May we always strive to reflect the best of humankind.

Check out this evening's game against Argentina 6/26/26 at 6 pm ET! Wow!

And to those attending Sail250, be sure and check out the S.S.V. Ernestina-Morrissey.

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.