Elissa was built in Aberdeen, Scotland as a merchant vessel in a time when steamships were overtaking sailing ships. She was launched on October 27, 1877. Elissa has sailed under multiple sailed under Norwegian and Swedish flags. After nearly a century of sailing the open seas, the Elissa fell into a state of disrepair. Several attempts were made by various organizations around the globe to acquire the Elissa from Greece, as she was one of the last of her kind that had survived a life at sea. She was finally rescued by the Galveston historical foundation in 1975. Check out the Galveston historic Seaport to tour their Ship to Shore exhibit as well as a tour on the Elissa.

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