Captain Robert A. Bartlett

ERNESTINA ( catalog #2010 )The Ernestina is one of only two sailing Arctic exploration vessels left afloat in the United States, the other being the schooner Bowdoin, also a National Historic Landmark. After a long and distinguished fishing and cargo-carrying career, Effie M. Morrissey (Ernestina) was purchased in 1926 by Capt. Robert A. Bartlett, Canadian-born Arctic explorer and captain for Robert E. Peary. After 1924, under Capt. Bob Bartlett, Ernestina or known at that time as "the little Morrissey" made 20 regular voyages north. On one voyage they reached within 600 miles of the Pole. In 2009, Captain Bartlett will be celebrated from Newfoundland and Labrador to New England.
Captain Bartlett Video Click Here.

Schooner Ernestina

The Schooner Ernestina is designated as a National Historic Landmark. Orginally built in Essex, Massachusetts and launched February 1, 1894 as Effie M. Morrissey. She has sailed on through the century and is one of six remaining Essex-built schooners. Ernestina sailed as a Grand Banks fisherman out of Gloucester,and as an arctic explorer she reached within 600 miles of the north pole. Also, was the last ship to bring immigrants to America under sail from the Cape Verde Islands. Today she is undergoing a restoration project in New Bedford, Massachusetts, expected to be finished in time to participate in the 2009 Sail Boston Celebration.