Elissa campaign on track to reach goal in 2012

GALVESTON — The Galveston Historical Foundation is inching closer to its goal of raising $3 million to restore the tall ship Elissa.

Dwayne Jones, executive director of the Galveston Historical Foundation, said the Elissa sustained electrolytic corrosion that can be traced to Hurricane Ike.

“Elissa has been berthed in the same location for over 30 years and regularly maintained without this ever occurring before the months after Hurricane Ike,” Jones said. “Keeping Elissa sailing is very important to the foundation as she is one of three tall ships in the world that still sails. The foundation has sailed her with its very committed volunteer crew every year since she was restored.”

Jones said the Keep Elissa Sailing campaign has been successful, with progress on most of the funds needed for the hull and deck restoration expected to be reached this year.

Some of that help comes from the sale of Elissa beer, an India pale ale brewed by St. Arnold’s Brewery in Houston. Some of the proceeds of the Elissa beer sales are donated to the historical foundation.

“We have much support from St. Arnold’s Brewery from its distribution and selling of Elissa Ale,” Jones said.

St. Arnold’s named the beer for the Elissa because it represents the same type of vessel that shipped India pale ales to America in the 1800s.

The ship, built in 1877, was returned from dry dock in March 2011 with repairs made to the hull that allowed her to be transported but not to sail. She is permitted by the U.S. Coast Guard as an “attraction vessel.”

Jones said the historical foundation is limited in ways it can raise money for the vessel.

“Elissa is prevented by federal regulation from selling tickets to sail,” Jones said. “Our annual sails or sea trails include invited guests and the volunteer crew, and Elissa is supported by admissions to the Texas Seaport Museum, sales at the museum, donations and an annual event known as Plankowners held the first Saturday of each June.”

Jones said sailing Elissa is not an income source for the ship or Texas Seaport Museum. 

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How To Help

• Those interested in donating to help restore the tall ship Elissa can make a $10 gift by texting “Elissa” to 50555 on their cellphone.

• Galveston Historical Foundation’s website, www.Galvestonhistory.org, has a complete schedule of fundraising events.