|
Frequently Asked Questions
 Welcome aboard Elissa! This page is devoted to all those questions that people love to ask about Elissa. It's no accident that tall ships are something of a mystery to most Americans. We are not a seafaring nation at heart; despite some great maritime tradition, America looks inward toward its landlocked middle, and always has. There are many reasons for that; suffice it to say that the average American Joe recoils at the use of such terms as "baggywrinkle" and "futtock". Non-American visitors to this page [bonjour, wilkommen, tell your friends!] may not be quite so taken aback by the sight of a ship, but Elissa's great age and her working status, with all the bells and whistles being fully functional, inspire a barrage of questions from just about any guest. Don't worry - if seafaring is a mystery to you, that means you'll have that much more fun learning about it!
Below is a sample of answers to common questions about Elissa. You may have these same questions on your mind, or perhaps others. I encourage you to read on, and if your questions are not found below, perhaps you can pay Elissa a visit at the Texas Seaport Museum in Galveston, Texas, and discover the answers. But for now, imagine yourself on deck with questions on you mind, and a crewman such as myself walks by . . .
How old is it? She is a mix of old and new. The great majority of her hull is the original, from 1877. Most of her framework is as well. Almost everything else was re-created with the benefit of research; old pictures, plans, documents, etc. during her restoration.
Why didn't the hull rot? Elissa's hull was made of riveted iron. By the time she was built, large wooden-hulled ships were a thing of the past. Parts of her hull that had worn and rusted thin over the years were patched with steel before she left Greece.
Was it a pirate ship? No. Elissa was a merchant ship that sailed all over the world. In her heyday, she was a tramp cargo ship, a kind of vessel that didn't sail on a set schedule, but simply carried whatever wares were profitable for the owner. However, she did smuggle for a time in the Mediterranean.
Where are the cannons? Since Elissa wasn't a navy ship or a pirate ship, she didn't normally carry cannon. That's not to say that her master wasn't a cautious sort, though.
Why do you call it a bark? We refer to her as a barque, [the spelling may vary] because that's what she is. Tall ships come in different sizes and shapes. The correct term for a ship of Elissa's configuration, having the kinds of sails that she has, is barque. All the terms depend on how the ship is rigged - that is, how their sails, masts and lines are arranged.
What did she carry? Elissa carried whatever cargo best suited her. Elissa's medium size, medium rig and all-around, average handling capability allowed her to carry lumber, bananas, and just about anything of average size, value and weight.
Does she sail? Yes! Unlike many museum ships, which are permanently moored, Elissa actually sails on a regular basis. Her size and complexity make it expensive to take her out. Also, there are a lot of special preparations that have to be made in order for the U.S. Coast Guard to give her a green light for sailing. Since she's so rare and unique, it takes qualified officers to command her - another expense. Finally, the people that make her go - the crew - are made up almost entirely of volunteers and it takes a huge effort to train them to sail her safely.
|
