A historic ship is docking in Brooklyn for the weekend to celebrate Independence Day in New York City.
The Tall Ship Elissa will be leading the Class A Tall Ships in the Sail4th 250 parade in New York City, joining the largest flotilla of historic sea vessels from all over the world. Elissa recently set sail from her home in Galveston, Texas, to dock in Brooklyn before the parade.
Organized by the led by Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF), a nonprofit that owns and operates the ship, this is Elissa’s first major voyage in nearly 40 years.
“ELISSA is not simply traveling to commemorate a milestone, she is doing what she was built to do—connect communities through maritime history,” said Will Wright, Chief Creative Officer for GHF. “This project reflects decades of stewardship and investment, and it reinforces our commitment to ensuring that Galveston’s history continues to be told on a national stage.”
Originally built in 1877 in Aberdeen, Scotland, Elissa is a three-masted, iron-hulled sailing ship measuring 205 feet from stern to the tip of her jibboom, and the main mast rises 99 feet 9 inches. She’s classified as a barque, having square sails on the fore and main masts and fore-and-aft sails on the mizzen.
Elissa in a Greek shipyard.Photo origin unknown, given courtesy of the Galveston Historical Foundation
A fully functioning vessel, the Elissa is one of the few vessels that is not a replica. She had a 90-year commercial career going to ports all over the world. The vessel was later rescued from a scrapyard in Piraeus Harbor, Greece, by preservationists in Galveston.
For nearly 50 years, GHF has worked on restoration, and ongoing management of the ship and continues to invest in the preservation, maintenance, and crew training to maintain the vessel. Elissa currently serves as the Official Tall Ship of Texas and is a designated National Historic Landmark, and sails annually during Gulf Coast sea trials. She welcomes thousands of visitors each year for tours, education programs, and special events throughout the year.
“For Galveston, the America250 voyage is both a national showcase and a statement of identity,” said Dwayne Jones, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer for GHF. “As a historic port city whose story is deeply tied to maritime commerce, immigration, and coastal life, Galveston will be represented on a global stage by a vessel that has become one of its most visible and meaningful ambassadors.”
Elissa in New York in 1986.
The last time Elissa was in New York was back in 1986 for OpSail, held in honor of the Statue of Liberty’s centennial and the 210th anniversary of America’s Independence Day. Her journey to New York is her longest voyage in decades, marking 2,500 miles. The Elissa’s crew is made up of eight paid officers and staff and approximately 34 trained volunteers when underway.
Throughout the weekend, Elissa will be docked at the Brooklyn Bridge Marina, located at 159 Bridge Park Dr., with events for the public to enjoy. On July 3 from 12:30-3:30 p.m., Elissa will host a Class B Parade viewing party, allowing ticketholders to watch Class B tall ships from around the world sail the East River from the Hell Gate Bridge to Gravesend Bay, Brooklyn. Later that evening from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Elissa will take a special preview sale onto New York City waters.
On July 5-7, there will be free deck tours of Elissa daily from 12 – 6 p.m. You must RSVP online to secure your spot for the tour.
Tickets for all of the Elissa events, including free deck tour RSVPs, are available online at galveston250.com/ports/new-york-city-new-york/.