The Lake of Geneva Boat I was interested to see Stanley Gerr's letter and photo (SH 14:4) about the Lake of Geneva boat. As far as I know, this type of craft was always referred to simply as a "barque du Leman", that is, a Lake of Geneva boat, Lac Leman being the French name for that lake. Whilst I agree with Mr. Gerr's comments about the hull, I do.not think he's correct regarding the original rig. I have in my collection a number of old
siderable thanks for his many efforts, but his position in this great endeavor is the result of the far-sighted efforts of John Paul Gaido and his many fine associates in the Galveston Historical Foundation. GARY ROGER DRUSS President, Galveston Island Hotel-Motel Ass'n Galveston, Texas We agree, and regret any accidental understatement ofMr. Gaido 's role in saving and restoring the Elissa.-ED.
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post-cards dating from the period 1900-1914 which show these craftworking, and at least six of these show ajib rigged in addition to the two Iateen sails. Comparing the various photos and endeavouring to assess size in relation to the figures seen aboard, it looks as though in general it was the larger craft which carr~ed a jib. I imagine that the vessel in Mr. Gerr's photo is the Neptune, which is preserved at Geneva as an active museum ship. She was, I believe, built in 1904 and was working under motor until 1968, since when she has been painstakingly restored. RICKHOGBEN London, England Saving Elissa Today ... Although the Fall SEA HISTORY was a little late, no periodical was ever more worth waiting for. What a magnificent job you people did on our Elissa! As a plank owner who has bought one of the 300 prime Douglas fir planks for Elissa's new deck, I am keeping in close touch with the progress or restoration through Don Birkholz, rigging gang bosun. I am sure I speak for all of us down here in expressing our warmest thanks. PHILIP FRANCIS Galveston, Texas Michael Creamer's article on¡ the Elissa understates John Paul Gaido's role in the bark's return to Galveston. Mr. Gaido didn't just talk about the ship, he spent long hours away from his family and his business raising funds for her. He was also the largest private contributor to the fund to tow her across from Greece, and is to date the largest contributor to the vessel's restoration. Mr. Creamer deserves conSEA HISTORY, WINTER 1980
. .. and Elvira Many Years Ago My father, William A. Trew, was chief mate of the Elvira, Elissa's near-sister, in the stormy voyage described by A.B. Harper in SH 15. Mr. Harper must be the Alan Harper who was the second mate. My father thought highly of Mr. Harper and named his first-born child Alan. I recall my father telling me of the passage to Galway during which so many sails were lost that it was necessary to use some triangular sails to replace the square sails. Mr. Harper left the sea and became a clergyman. He visited my parents some fifty years ago. Both my grandfathers and my father were masters in sail, but I was only a master of steamships. Capt. S.H. TREW Lakewood, New Jersey
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