The folks at the Pint Jockeys blog have suggested a great way to support the repairs to the 1877 Barque Elissa, which is believed to have been a victim of stray current electrolytic corrosion resulting from underwater electrical cable damage after Hurricane Ike. The folks at Pint Jockeys recommend drinking beer, but not just any beer – Saint Arnold’s Elissa IPA. Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Texas oldest craft brewery, has named their Indian Pale Ale after the Elissa, the official tall ship of the state of Texas. They are also donating a portion of all Elissa IPA proceeds to Galveston Historic District for preservation of the ship.
And if Saint Arnold’s Elissa IPA is hard to find locally, you can still donate $10 to the Elissa by texting the word “ELISSA” to 50555. Contributions of any amount can be made on the Galveston Historical Foundation’s web site at www.galvestonhistory.org or by calling 409-765-7834. Thanks to Kurt Voss for pointing out the Pint Jockeys’ post.
It is an all too common story, an overloaded and poorly maintained ferry in an impoverished nation capsizes, drowning many of its passengers. It happens so often it that it is often not reported beyond the local press. This morning at three AM local time, a ferry boat running between Zanzibar and Pemba, Tanzania sank after capsizing. Update #2: 606 of the passengers have been rescued and 192 bodies have been recovered. The ferry was reportedly loaded with twice the allowed weight of cargo. The ferry had an approved passenger capacity of 600 and was carrying close to 800 passengers. This is the third ferry to capsize with a loss of life in the vicinity in the last year.
If
For those of a non-piratical bent there is still a lot going on this weekend.
The good folks in Eastport, Maine have seen fit to once again hold their annual 
On this day in 1754,
The
Last February