GALVESTON — Elissa, the towering ship that calls Galveston home, is “The Tall Ship of Texas.”
Its title became official when Gov. Rick Perry formalized the decree June 18.
The 128-year-old, 100-foot tall, iron-hulled sailing ship can still be seen decorating the horizon during one of its annual treks through the Gulf.
Yearly ventures make the Elissa one of three pre-20th century restored squareriggers that continue to sail. The others are the Star of India, homeported in Sand Diego, and Gazela from Philadelphia. All are about the same age.
“The Elissa has great national significance,” said the Rev. Ron Pogue of Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston. “People will come from far away to see a 19th century sailing vessel of this type.”
Pogue is also the public policy director for the Galveston Historical Foundation, the group that spearheaded the effort to win Elissa this statewide recognition.
“Getting this resolution passed has been under discussion for about three years,” Pogue said.
The ship was built in 1877 and used to transport commercial cargo for nearly a century, but when the Galveston Historical Foundation purchased it in 1975 for $40,000, it was rusted almost to ruin, according to reports.
But through renovation and work, it was restored to its former glory, said Molly Dannenmaier, marketing and public relations director at the museum.
“The Elissa is a living example of historical preservation. This resolution can help us propagandize why that’s so important,” she said.
The ship’s new status will also add to the city’s tourist attractions, said museum staff.
“It’s an important designation to Galveston and Texas. People will come to Galveston to look, see and visit. Then they’ll come back. Some even stay here,” Dannenmaier said.
Another who lobbied for Elissa’s documented honor, John Moran, the chairman of the Texas Seaport Museum Committee, said the resolution’s a cheer to Texas’s economic evolution as well.
“Coastal areas are often overlooked in attention in respect to economic development, even though maritime industry and commercial freighters like the Elissa had a lifetime’s worth of impact,” Moran said.
Moran helped word the resolution the governor signed earlier this month.
“All of our efforts were generously supported by Rep. Craig Eiland and Sen. Mike Jackson,” Moran said. “We are all so happy and proud.”
The Galveston Historical Foundation will celebrate its accomplishment Oct. 22 at the Texas Seaport Museum with a grand party, some of which will take place aboard Elissa. The gala will be open to the public.
“It’ll be a celebration for Galveston and Texas,” Moran said. “Everyone in Texas has an innate right be there.”
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Story Behind The Elissa’s Name
The 200-foot long, 100-foot high tall ship called Elissa would use just over a quarter of an acre of farmland if she were a barn.
Its name befits its awe-inspiring presence.
According to the Marjorie Lyle, granddaughter of Elissa’s builder, Henry Fowler Watt, the name was taken from Virgil’s epic poem “The Aeneid,” which tells the story of Dido, the queen of Carthage.
In her youth, Dido was known as Princess Elissa of Phoenicia.
Dido loved Ovid, a Roman poet who knew the key to woman’s heart. But Aeneas stole her attention, grace and love the day he escaped Hades, the Greek underworld.
Aeneas is the son of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, and cousin to King Priam of Troy. He led Troy’s allies during the Trojan War, which was victorious for Greece.
Dido took great pity on Aeneas as she gazed upon Aeneas’ sunken eyes and worn face.
From that day forth, she pledged that wherever Aeneas, his fleet and his men would sail, she would use her power to protect him.
And so Elissa, the present-day ship in Galveston, shares Dido’s name. Being a sea vessel, it may even be under her protection, considering its lengthy life.
