A rare piece of living maritime history is preparing to sail back into Pensacola Harbor this month.
The 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA, one of the oldest continuously operating sailing vessels in the world, will arrive at Palafox Pier on May 23 as the first stop on its six-city national Sail250 voyage leading up to America’s 250th anniversary celebration in New York Harbor.
For Pensacola, the visit carries both historical and symbolic significance. The ship first visited the port in 1886 during her working years as a cargo vessel and later returned in 2018. Now, nearly 150 years after she was built, ELISSA returns once again — not as a merchant ship, but as a fully restored floating museum and ambassador of maritime heritage.
Visitors will have the opportunity to step aboard the historic vessel during free public deck tours on Saturday, May 23, from noon to 5 p.m., and again on Sunday, May 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Palafox Pier…