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The Windjammers, part of a series
for The History Channel by Perpetual Motion Films, found
Jim Zura, Everett Gorel and crew out on the high seas with veteran Producer/Actor Monte
Markham. Boarding the historic Tall Ship Elissa, which was 17
miles seaward of its home port of Galveston, was no small challenge. |
| "We commissioned a chase-boat, a speedy
Sport Fisherman, so we could get some dramatic shots on the open seas. I trusted
that Mr. Markham had a sound plan for getting the crew and equipment aboard the Elissa.
When it came time to board, all I saw was a four-foot rope ladder slung over the
beam. I looked questioningly at Monte. He just smiled and said: 'You're
doing this for The History Channel, right? You're about to have an Historic
Experience!'" The crew had to lift the equipment up to the grasping hands of
the Elissa's crew, high above the deck of the chase boat, piece by piece.
"We literally had to time our moves to the swells of the sea, in order for the
outstretched fingertips of the sailors to reach the handles on our gear cases."
The captain of the Sport Fisherman also had his job cut out for him, trying to keep
his craft parallel in the roiling seas.
"How we managed to get all that gear and crew aboard the Elissa under
those conditions-- it's kind of a blur right now. I just know that we didn't have
any choice-- the show must go on! And it was well worth it. It was a rare and
unique privilege to sail this historic vessel, and to be shooting for The History Channel
as well!" |
