Established in 1825, it was the busiest port on the Gulf Coast and the second largest in the U.S. (after NYC) until it was devastated by the Galveston Hurricane of 1900. Port of Houston quickly became the primary port before Galveston could recover from the 1900 Storm. This photo shows the water levels or major hurricanes since 1900. As you can see, Hurricane Ike in 2008 was also a storm that caused massive damage in Galveston.
The channel is 45' deep and 1,200' wide and handles all types of cargo. Check out this oil rig that is being towed by a tub boat. There is as railroad terminal that serves the port. It is also the home port to several cruise ships operated by Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Disney and Princess Cruise Lines operate ships in the port during the fall and winter months.
This tug was towing an oil rig. Wow, I didn't know those things could be moved that way!
Commercial fishing marina.
Loved these beautiful white pelicans. The growth on the beak starts to appear for mating season. It will go away after the female lays eggs.
Brown pelicans and a cormorant (I think that's what it is).
The Ocean Star Offshore Rig and Drilling Museum. We did not visit it today, but will likely go back in a couple of weeks.
There are numerous hotels and restaurants in this area. Most of the eating establishments have outdoor seating for diners to enjoy the beautiful harbor scene. The Pier 21 Theatre offers several documentary films with this most popular one about the Hurricane of 1900. Six thousand people were killed and is the worst (documented) national disaster thus far in the U.S.
Sadie found it all very interesting!
There is so much to see here with the two museums (Texas Seaport and Ocean Star Oil Rig), marina, theatre, restaurants, etc. We enjoyed watching the activity in the port (various vessels and arriving/departing) and the pelicans that can be seen in abundance here. If you visit Galveston, don't miss it. I am sure we will be back for a second visit during the time we are here.
Website: www.portofgalveston.com
No comments:
Post a Comment