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Ship Salute to William Donald Schaefer

 

Pride of Baltimore II Cannon Salute and Open Houses to Honor Pride’s Champion

Baltimore’s Topsail Schooner, Pride of Baltimore II, and her crew will honor William Donald Schaefer as his casket is driven by the Inner Harbor on its way to lie in state at City Hall.  Pride of Baltimore II will be docked at the West Wall of the Inner Harbor in front of William Donald Schaefer’s statue.  Pride of Baltimore II’s cannon will salute William Donald Schaefer as he is driven by his bronze statue near the Visitor Center. Pride of Baltimore II will then be open for free deck tours until 9:00 p.m. Monday, April 25.  The ship will also be open for free deck tours on Tuesday, April 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on the day of Governor Schaefer’s funeral Wednesday, April 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  At 12 Noon on April 27, Pride of Baltimore II’s crew will again salute Don Schaefer with the ship’s cannon fire. 

Pride of Baltimore was, and Pride of Baltimore II is, a manifestation of then Mayor Schaefer’s “do-it-now” mandates.  He was a champion of both Prides and the nonprofit organization Pride of Baltimore, Inc.  It was his vision that not only built the two Prides, but also his vision to use Baltimore’s topsail schooner as a traveling international business development tool and goodwill ambassador for the City of Baltimore, the State of Maryland and its citizens. Pride of Baltimore II is now owned and operated by the nonprofit Pride of Baltimore, Inc. and she continues to sail internationally promoting Maryland and U.S. maritime history.  On May 30, Pride of Baltimore II departs for New York, Boston, Canada and the Great Lakes.  She will return to Baltimore in November 2011.

Pride's Champion was honored at the organizations 25th Anniverary party in 2002. Pictured Left to Right: Linda Christenson, William Donald Schaefer, Helen Delich Bentley, JoAnne Zawitoski and Dick Franyo.
Captain Miles with William Donald Schaefer