GALVESTON, Texas (April 13, 2023) Ernestina-Morrissey, a grand banks fishing schooner and last fishing schooner built for the Wonson Fish Company, transits Galveston channel during Tall Ships Challenge Galveston 2023. Launched as Effie M. Morrissey in 1894 in Essex, Massachusetts, this historic schooner’s first lives were as Gloucester Grand Banks fisherman, Arctic explorer, and WWII survey/supply vessel. With significant recent commitments from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and two generous private donors, and continued fundraising, Ernestina-Morrissey recently completed full restoration at Boothbay Harbor/Bristol Marine Shipyard in Maine. Founded in 1973, Tall Ships America is a non-profit organization commended by Congress as The National Sail Training Organization representing the United States. The 2023 Tall Ships Galveston festival at the Galveston Historic Seaport hosts tours of participating ships, numerous special events, sail-away excursions, music, food, and fun in a family-friendly format. Galveston Island serves as one of three ports for the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Gulf Coast 2023 Series, which features a fleet of ships traveling across the Gulf of Mexico as they visit other participating cities.