FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2009
CONTACT: Molly Dannenmaier
Director of Marketing and Public Relations,
409-765-7834

Sailmaker Jim Brink Returns to Galveston to Build a Replacement Sail for Elissa

Nationally known traditional sailmaker Jim Brink has returned to Galveston to build a new fore lower topsail for Galveston Historical Foundation’s (GHF’s) restored 1877 sailing vessel Elissa. The sail was destroyed during Hurricane Ike last September, the only major damage sustained by the ship during the storm.

Sailmaker Jim Brink transfers his scale design for Elissa’s new fore lower topsail full-size on the floor of the Ashton Villa ballroom, then sizes and cuts panels of sailcloth to fit. They will be sewn together at the Texas Seaport Museum, and the finishing handwork completed there in time of Elissa’s sea trials beginning March 18. He is assisted by four veteran Elissa volunteers, including Richard Orange, left.

Photo: David Canright/Galveston Historical Foundation

The cost of the new sail was raised entirely by Elissa’s volunteer crew, who donate thousands of hours of work each year maintaining the vessel and keeping her ready for sea. They also participate in months of training in order to take her to sea each year for a series of “sea trials” in the Gulf of Mexico. This year’s sea trials are set to take place from March 18 to April 6, and the new sail, an important part of the Elissa’s 19-sail barque rig, will be completed in time. The ship will also call this year at the Bayport Cruise Terminal in Houston where she will be available for public tours from March 30 to April 5.

With the help of four long-time Elissa volunteers, Brink, 54, began the process on the floor of GHF’s Ashton Villa ballroom, laying out panels of sailcloth to a pattern carefully taped to the floor. The panels were trimmed and labeled, and will be sewn together on a machine in the auditorium at the Texas Seaport Museum, the ship’s home berth. Then the laborious handwork of attaching the trim of wire and fiber rope, and the hand-made fittings by which the sail is fastened to its spar and controlled will be completed. In all, the job should take about three weeks, says Brink.

Brink, who is living in Elissa’s first mate’s cabin during his visit, has long experience in building sails for traditional schooners and square-rigged vessels like Elissa. His most prominent jobs have been for Hollywood, where he made the sails for ships in the films “Master and Commander” and “Pirates of the Carribean,” parts 1, 2 and 3. He is very familiar with Elissa, as he has had a hand in or been in charge of building all 41 sails Elissa has used in the 27 active years since her restoration in Galveston.

For more information, contact John Schaumburg, waterfront manager, Texas Seaport Museum, at 409-763-1877.