Galveston's Tall Ship Elissa - June 1st, 2009


Visit the Elissa at 22nd Street and Harborside Dr.

Elissa is an 1877 Iron Barque (because of the riveted iron hull)

She was rescued from a Greek scrapyard in 1968

Come onboard and overlook the galley & bow

Look due west toward the empty Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal 1

Look southwest toward 25th Street & the Shern-Moody Plaza & train musuem

Look back toward the stern and entry gangplank

Texas Seaport Museum is still under repair since Ike












Entry to the forecastle above stowed flammables

Eight able bodied seamen slept in the forecastle

Wood burning iron stove in the Galley

Donkey room (and engine) in the back of the galley

Black capstan helps pull heavy sail lines; the white box provides light & venting for the aft hold

The charthouse (1986) holds electronic nav & comm equipment

The ships wheel is at the stern above the rudder

Steering gear housed in the wheel box

The binnacle houses the compass & navigation oil lamps.   The captain's companionway is the large box, allowing one at a time access to his cabin

Portside view, stern to bow. The skylight (between companionway & charthouse) allowed light & fresh air to the officer's quarters below

Same view, better lighting, plus the binnacle

Center main sail fife rail and pumps pump out the bilge

View main sail & its five yards (horizontal spars) that support the square sails

Descend down the main hatch beyond the main sail

World map detailing all of Elissa's voyages

Depart the aft hold and head towards the stern

The sail locker now berths engineers while at sea

Pass the mizzen mast toward the mate's cabins

2nd mate's cabin has only one porthole

The captain entertained guests and conducted ship business in the saloon

Spare cabin allowed contractors a place to stay while traveling w/their goods

Tall shot to capture the storage underneath the bed

Captain's cabin is the largest & contains a bed for two (lucky 1st mate!)

Captain's Companionway conserves space & deters mutiny (one at a time)

Back up top and head towards the exit gangplank

Back onshore and a view of rowboats & gangplank

Stern shot from the still closed Texas Seaport Museum

Better stern shot from Fisherman's Wharf

Cannot step far enough back to get a entire ship photograph

Not enough room from either the dock or Texas Seaport Museum

Seabirds rest and look for cruiseboats

Get close to capturing the entire ship with this photo

The Elissa weathered Hurricane Ike well, the marker text is below

However, the Texas Seaport Museum was flooded with six plus feet of water