Restoration work on Massachusetts' official schooner to be done in Maine, disappointing some

The schooner Ernestina — the official tall ship of Massachusetts — is heading out of state for a multimillion dollar restoration project, which is not sitting well with some people on Cape Ann.

The 112-foot fishing schooner was launched in Essex in 1894.

Maritime Gloucester submitted a bid to do the work on the ship that was built in the next town. But a company executive says the state Department of Conservation and Recreation granted the $5 million to $6 million project to a company based in Boothbay, Maine.

Maritime Gloucester executive director Tom Balf said he was "disappointed."

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr of Rockport tells The Gloucester Times he too was disappointed and contacted the state agency to express his displeasure.

The vessel is based in New Bedford.

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Information from: Gloucester (Mass.) Daily Times, http://www.gloucestertimes.com