ELISSA

As national awareness of our maritime heritage grows, the three-masted barque ELISSA increasingly becomes a more valuable cultural resource. The vessel remains one of the last survivors of a long history of sailing ships that once played such a vital role in our nation's development. The ELISSA is indicative of the type of ship which made the city of Galveston one of the most important ports, not only in the United States but the world as well. When the final restoration is completed, ELISSA will reputedly be the oldest operational sailing vessel in the world she will cross the Atlantic Ocean to Galveston completely under her own power in the fall of 1978. She will also be the third oldest merchant sailing ship still afloat, surpassed only by Britain's CUTTY SARK (1869) and San Diego's STAR OF INDIA (1863).

By the mid-1880s maritime technology was at a crossroads. The sailing ship was being revolutionized with innovations from the Industrial Revolution and, at the same time, the steamship was being perfected. Even though the new sailing ships, like the ELISSA, were vastly superior to older ships, they soon were no match to the faster, more reliable deep-water steamships. Therefore, when the ELISSA was launched in October 1877 the demise of the Age of Sail loomed in the not-too-distant future.

Constructed in Aberdeen, Scotland by the prestigious shipbuilding firm of Alexander Hall & Sons, ELISSA was owned by Henry Fowler Watt and Edward Wilson Crosfield, both of England. She was built for transporting goods and, according to Lloyd's of London Register of Shipping, carried a wide variety of cargo to over 100 ports on six continents during her 100 years of service. During this period, ELISSA sailed under six flags including Great Britain, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Greece, and the United States.

ELISSA's log reveals that the ship has seen considerable service in American waters. It was quarantined in Savannah, Georgia, and once straggled into Key West short on provisions. Nearly sunk in the stormy weather that accompanied the infamous 1888 New England blizzard, ELISSA found safety and shelter in Boston, though its destination was New York City. ELISSA is thought by some to have been the only ship that was able to dock at Boston during the "Blizzard of 88".

Transporting a shipment of bananas from Tampico, Mexico, ELISSA docked in Galveston for the first time in December 1883. During this time, Galveston was an important trading center and "ranked second only to New York. in exports and was the greatest cotton shipping source in the world". 1 When ELISSA departed in January 1884 the ship was bound for the textile mills of Liverpool with a cargo of Texas cotton. However, this was not ELISSA's last visit to Texas. In 1887 the vessel once again docked in Galveston and eight years later the ship came to Rio Grande (now Port Isabel). During this trip, ELISSA ran aground and received minor damage to the hull. This "hog" or indentation was repaired and the ship was soon back to sea.

In 1897 ELISSA sustained major damage during a storm at sea and required assistance from the steamship VALENTIA. Shortly after the repairs were made, the ELISSA was sold to a Norwegian partnership and was renamed FJELD. In 1911 the ship was sold again, this time to Carl Johnasson, a Swede, who renamed the ship GUSTAF. The vessel continued to be used for shipping, however, modifications soon followed. The ship was fitted with an engine and reclassified as an "auxiliary schooner".

Bought by Erik Nyland of Finland in 1930, GUSTAF continued to be owned by Finn shippers until 1959 when she was sold to Greek merchants. Renamed CHRISTOPHOROS, the vessel underwent major modifications. The main mast was removed, making the ship, for all practical purposes, a mentorship.

In 1967 the ship was shrouded in the controversy involving cigarette smuggling from Yugoslavia to Italy. After official complaints from the Italian government, the ship was sold and renamed ACHAEOS. The fore and mizzen masts were removed and another engine was refitted. In 1969 the ship was renamed PIONEER. After a conflict between the owners and the crew, the ship was moored off the scrapyard beach of Pireaus, Greece in 1970. Later that year the vessel was sold and renamed ELISSA.

The Galveston Historical Foundation purchased ELISSA in 1975 because of its link with Galveston's port during the prosperous years of the late 1800s. Currently, plans are underway to restore ELISSA in order for her to make the journey from Greece across the Atlantic to Galveston. The ship will be used as an "operational" museum and will be sailed twice a year to allow Sea Scouts and underprivileged youth the opportunity to experience sailing a square-rigged ship.