For those who love to sail or think they would like to sail, head to Galveston, Texas, home to the ELISSA. Docked at the Texas Seaport Museum, the ELISSA is an 1877 three-masted, iron-hulled merchant ship built in Aberdeen, Scotland, by Alexander Hall & Company. It was saved from the salvage yard and eventually restored by the Galveston Historical Foundation. Today, visitors can tour the ship and explore its storied past.

Learning the history of ELISSA provides visitors with a glimpse into the past; however, by volunteering on the ELISSA, guests actually can play a role in preserving this great ship for generations to come. That’s right! You can take part in keeping this grand historical icon of maritime’s heritage in tip-top shape and ready to set sail.

“Most volunteers work on the weekend when classes and formal work is planned,” says John R. Moran, interim director, Texas Seaport Museum. “A person interested in volunteering need only come to TSM, generally on Saturday, fill out paper work and participate in an orientation by the staff or volunteer leadership. Volunteers then work on projects that are on a continuing work list and log their volunteer hours in the logbook. Volunteer hours are the currency of TSM and important in determining the sailing crew, guest lists and other benefits of the organization.”

While a great majority of work revolves around maintaining the ELISSA, volunteers also have the opportunity to learn the skills of 19th-century sailing. Throughout 20 classes, volunteers perform such tasks as pulling lines, tying knots and navigating the rigging. After graduation, volunteers can put their skills to use as they sail ELISSA in the Gulf of Mexico for her annual sea trials. What a great educational adventure!

The volunteer program generally is designed for adults, although children ages 12 to 15 can participate if accompanied by an adult while on site. Children ages 16 to 18 can participate alone after the first visit, when an adult must accompany them in order to sign the necessary legal and medical forms. Volunteering is free and open to the public.

To learn more or to find out how you can volunteer, visit www.tsm-elissa.org or call 409.463.1877.