October 27, 2021
Today in Texas history
By Bandera Spirits of Texas
On this day in 1877, the Elissa, an iron-hulled, three-masted barque built at the shipyard of Alexander Hall and Company of Aberdeen, Scotland, was launched.
After a long and varied career the vessel was purchased in 1974 by the Galveston Historical Foundation as a restoration project to complement the Strand Historic District, the Victorian market center of the city.
The restored 19th Century full-rigged sailing ship is now berthed at Pier 21 in Galveston, just off the Strand, and is visited by 60,000 to 70,000 tourists a year.
After a long and varied career the vessel was purchased in 1974 by the Galveston Historical Foundation as a restoration project to complement the Strand Historic District, the Victorian market center of the city.
The restored 19th Century full-rigged sailing ship is now berthed at Pier 21 in Galveston, just off the Strand, and is visited by 60,000 to 70,000 tourists a year.