Tall Ship Elissa visited New Orleans
The ship Elissa, docked in Galveston, Texas, recently visited the city as part of the Tall Ships Festival. The Elissa was featured in an oil painting by famed marine artist Michael Blaser. Mr. Blaser painted the New Orleans riverfront with the Steamboat Natchez passing the Elissa. Although ficticious at the time, as the Elissa had not been in the port since the NATCHEZ began sailing in 1975, it was finally a vision brought to life. As the Elissa sailed in last week, the Natchez was there to greet and escort her to dock. Dreams do come true.
The Galveston Historical Foundation obtained ownership of the vessel originally built as a three-masted, iron hull sailing ship in Aberdeen, Scotland. Commissioned by Liverpool, England merchant Henry Fowler Watt and built by Alexander Hall & Co, the Elissa was launched on October 27, 1877.
