January 6, 2003

Galveston Historical Foundation
 

Elissa, Galveston Historical Foundation's 1877 iron barque tall ship, is undergoing the dry docking process at First Wave/Newpark, a commercial shipyard in Pasadena.   

Twice every five years the United States Coast Guard stipulates that the ship be docked out of the water to be inspected and refurbished for her future sailing endeavors.

“For the ELISSA to sail she must undergo the dry docking process,” states Kurt Voss, Director of the Texas Seaport Museum.  “When the ELISSA is removed from the water, we can assess exactly where she is vulnerable and in need of repair.  Dry-docking the ELISSA is also a considerable expense and without the many volunteers and generous contributors that help fund and manage the process she would not sail.”

The ship will have its bottom scraped and painted, a partial plate on the port side will be replaced and the ship will be given a thorough inspection.  It will take approximately two weeks for the dry docking process to be complete, weather conditions permitting.