Pride of Baltimore will return to Havre de Grace on Thursday, May 1 for War of 1812 Weekend. The ship will be docked at Hutchinson Park Thursday through Sunday evening. On Friday, May 2 captain and crew will welcome aboard local students for Pride’s experiential, STEM+H education program, “PRIDE on the Chesapeake.” In addition to spending time aboard a reproduction of a War of 1812 sailing vessel, students will investigate the various viewpoints of citizens about declaring war on England, and compare hull models of Baltimore Clippers to 19th century cargo ships.
Pride will be open to the public and offering ($5) guided deck tours on Saturday, May 3 from 10 AM – 6 PM, and on Sunday, May 4 from 11 AM – 5 PM. On Saturday Pride will have on display the Maryland Historical Society’s hand-sewn, 30' x 42' recreation of the Star-Spangled Banner. A guided deck tour is the ultimate way to explore Pride’s deck, learn about past and present life aboard topsail schooner privateers, and interact with the vessel’s passionate and knowledgeable crew. Pride’s well-trained sailors will lead guests through various interpretive stations, including a hands-on demonstration in the Baltimore schooner design as well as an exciting video of Pride in action, bringing to life the traditional sailing experience for privateers in 1812.
The Pride of Baltimore is a reconstruction of an early 19th century Baltimore Clipper. These sleek, fast, and maneuverable vessels became famous as privateers during the War of 1812. Their success in capturing British merchant ships inspired the Royal Navy’s attack on Baltimore in 1812. When Francis Scott Key saw the American flag still flying after the all-night bombardment of Fort McHenry, he was inspired to pen the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
2014 is the first year in many that Pride will remain in local waters - traveling to as many Maryland ports as possible throughout the Star-Spangled Summer of 2014, reaching between 50,000 and 100,000 people in her port visits throughout the state. Since her commissioning in October of 1988, Pride has traveled over 250,000 nautical miles, visited 40 countries, and docked in over 200 ports of call. For more information on Pride’s 2014 sailing schedule, education initiatives, or membership program, please visit pride2.org.
