Fun Facts About the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

The schooner Ernestina; photo by Wildstar Beaumont on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / share alike).

Massachusetts has its own state vessel. In 1994. the schooner, Ernestina (originally named Effie M. Morrissey) became the official state vessel. in 1990, she was named a Historic Landmark by the Department of the Interior. The schooner is owned by the state of Massachusetts and is part of the New Bedford Whaling National Park.

From the National Park Service: "Built in 1894, the schooner ERNESTINA is the oldest surviving Grand Banks fishing schooner; the only surviving 19th century Gloucester-built fishing schooner; one of two remaining examples of the Fredonia-style schooners (the other being LETTIE G. HOWARD, also a National Historic Landmark), the most famous American fishing vessel type; the only offshore example of that type; and one of two sailing Arctic exploration vessels left afloat in the United States (the other being BOWDOIN, also a National Historic Landmark). Today, ERNESTINA regularly sails the New England coast on educational cruises."

Source cited: https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/massachusetts/state-vessel-aircraft-landmark/ernistina

This is the last fun fact about the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Next week will feature Happy Little Time Wasters.