Elissa

Sail Boston is a fantastic festival. The ships are berthed relatively close together, and millions upon millions of visitors come to the city to admire them. The Oosterschelde is drawing large crowds as well.

But we also take full advantage of the opportunity ourselves. After all, how often do you get the chance to step aboard magnificent ships like the Pride of Baltimore II, the Bluenose II, and—my personal favorite—the Elissa?

The Elissa is a relatively small cargo sailing ship (about 200 feet long), rigged as a barque. She was built in Scotland  in 1877 (!) and is now lovingly maintained by a large group of dedicated volunteers in her home port of Galveston, Texas.

She sails only a few weeks each year, usually in the Gulf of Mexico. This year, however, the Elissa has embarked on her first extended voyage in more than forty years.

Captain Andy kindly showed me around his beautiful ship and told me that the last time Elissa visited Boston was in 1888.

Now that is history!