The next free program hosted by the schooner FAME and FRIENDSHIP OF SALEM is ‘Restoring the Schooner ERNESTINA.’

ERNESTINA was built in Essex in 1894, and became famous fishing the Grand Banks. The vessel later explored the Arctic and served in World War II. After the war, ERNESTINA became one of the last sailing vessels to transport immigrants, bringing people from the Cape Verde Islands to New England. In 1982, the people of the Cape Verdes donated ERNESTINA to Massachusetts. The vessel moored in New Bedford, and conducted a variety of ashore and afloat educational programs. Funding problems have kept ERNESTINA dockside since 2004.

Paul Brawley, Executive Director of the Schooner ERNESTINA, will explain the latest efforts to get this historic vessel restored to active sailing.

This lecture will take place at 7 p.m., Dec. 5, at St. Joseph Hall, 160 Derby St., Salem. The Hall is handicapped accessible. For more information, call 978-729-7600 or 978-740-1660.

There will be no lecture in January. On February 6, we’ll hear from Jonathan Harley, Race Director of the American Sail Training Association (ASTA), who will bring us up to date on SailBoston 2009 as the Tall Ships return at last!

On March 5, local skipper Gary Moore will talk about his adventure this fall when the Hunter 466 he was crewing on lost its rudder while bound to St. Thomas, USVI. The crew was eventually picked up by a Panamanian supertanker bound for Nigeria. Those who watch the local news may have seen video footage of the rescue.