Christening of the Sailing Tall Ship “Elissa”
Sunday, March 11, 2007

Now listed in the National Register of Historical places, Elissa’s last offshore trek was in 1996 to Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Only a few lucky people were able to see and enjoy her grandeur under sail. She also sailed into New York harbor in 1986 as the oldest Class A ship in the parade of Tall Ships, but few of us from Texas were there to greet her.

On October 25, 2007, each sailor in this year’s Harvest Moon Regatta can enjoy the thrill of sailing along with this beautiful and historic ship, seeing her as other boats at sea would have, 130 years ago when she was launched.

Spectators viewing the starting line in Galveston will also get to see more than 200 sailboats starting the Harvest Moon Regatta with the tall ship Elissa majestically escorting them south to Port Aransas.

Elissa will make a two night stop in Port Aransas so landlubbers can enjoy her there, then go on to berth where she will be open for school tours and public viewing before returning home to Galveston. This magnificent ship, maintained and crewed by Texas volunteers, is a working museum of which all Texans can be very proud. The Elissa is one of only three tall ships still sailing offshore in the USA. In 2005, the 79th Texas Legislature designated her “The Official Tall Ship of Texas.”

Christening Ceremony

LYC Commodore John Maniscalco: Fleet Captain Rauscher have you inspected the vessel?

Fleet Captain Don Rauscher : Aye Aye Commodore. I have found the vessel to be soundly constructed and fully outfitted.

Commodore: Then proceed with the Christening.

Fleet Captain: For thousands of years, we have gone to sea. We have crafted vessels to carry us and we have called them by name. These ships will nurture and care for us through perilous seas, and so we affectionately call them “she.” To them we toast and ask to celebrate Elissa.

Crew and Guests: To the sailors of old … to Elissa.

Fleet Captain: The moods of the sea are many, from tranquil to violent. We ask that this vessel be given the strength to carry on. The keel is strong and she keeps out the pressures of the sea.

Crew and Guests: To the sea… to the sailors of old… to the sea
Fleet Captain: today we come to honor the name of this lady Elissa and send her to sea to be cared for, and to care for all who sail her. We ask sailors of old and the mood of God that is the sea to accept Elissa as her name, to help her through her passages, and allow her to return wit her crew safely.

Crew and Guests:  to the sea… to the sailors before us… to Elissa

Fleet Captain: Almighty God who guided Noah in the building of an Ark, and calmed the raging sea, we call upon you to bless those who have prepared this ship for service, and to protect and preserve those who sail in her, and surround them with your loving care.

And now Captain, have your crew raise your colors (cannon is fired when flag is two blocked)

Fleet Captain: Please christen the Elissa. Commodore, the Elissa has been duly christened and I recommend her acceptance into our Fleet.

Commodore: So be it. It gives me great pleasure to welcome the Elissa into the Lakewood Yacht Club fleet. And it is a great honor to celebrate her 130th birthday at a Lakewood event. On October 27, 2007, the same day as the Awards Party in Port Aransas, the Elissa will be 130 years old. We look forward to celebrating with her!