Crowds lined the Onset pier the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 10, watching as the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey sailed into Onset Bay for the first time in twenty years.

Deckhands scrambled across the ship, pulling it tightly into position with creaking ropes.

The Ernestina-Morrissey is making an appearance in Onset for the Cape Verdean Festival, which will take place tomorrow, Sunday, Aug. 11.

The ship transported many Cape Verdeans from the islands to the United States, according to festival spokesperson Tiny Lopes, who added Cape Verdeans often call the Ernestina “our ship.”

Festival attendees will be able to board it and get a free tour, he said. 

The Wareham Harbormaster’s office helped guide the ship into port. This is the ship’s first visit to Onset since 2004, according to the Harbormaster’s office.