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The three masted 19th century sailing ship Elissa has just finished her annual day sails out of her home port of Galveston, and she’ll be open for public tours at the Port of Houston’s Bayport Cruise Terminal all day tomorrow. Galveston Historical Foundation Director Dwayne Jones says she’s there to show appreciation to the Houston Yacht Club, a long time supporter of the Elissa.
“The Houston Yacht Club does an annual Elissa Regatta in honor of, and in support of Elissa, which we appreciate, and that’s going to be going on on Saturday and ending up with in some of their awards things on Sunday, and Elissa’s going to be there. So because she’ll be at the Port of Houston she’ll be within close proximity to the Regatta.”
Jones says people owe it to themselves and their children to see the Elissa, because she’s a living relic of the days of sailing ships, and one of only a handful of 19th century ships still capable of going to sea. Elissa represents the maritime history of Texas.
“I think people often forget, particularly as you get up into Houston, you forget that you’re close to the ports of Galveston and Houston. You forget about the days of the maritime industry that was here on the island and how much of a big part that was of Texas.”
Elissa will be open to the public Saturday for a small admission fee from 9am till 5pm. The Bayport Cruise Terminal is at the end of Port Road, which runs east off state highway 146. The Port of Houston requires adults to show a photo ID to get through the terminal gate. Jim Bell, Houston Public Radio News.