Jan Miles, Senior Captain
Pasadena, Maryland
Captain Miles, an Annapolis High School graduate, has been with Pride of Baltimore, Inc. since 1981, when he joined as one of three rotating captains on the original Pride of Baltimore. He was the first to sail the original Pride across the North Atlantic to Europe and was at the helm for Pride of Baltimore II‘s maiden voyage in 1988. He is a tall ship master with more than 50 years of experience as a professional sailor. His voyages have included six Atlantic Ocean crossings, as well as three Pacific voyages of 5,000 miles, each taking about 25 days. He has traversed the Saint Lawrence Seaway more than a dozen times. He holds a USCG 500 Ocean Master License for Power and Sail, as well as numerous other certifications. Captain Miles has served as master or mate aboard many other vessels, including Lady Maryland, Californian, Bill of Rights, New Way, Alexandria, Brilliant, Clearwater, Elissa, Oliver Hazard Perry, and Tiare Toporo. Along the way, he also helped develop model sailing programs for youth at risk.
His accomplishments and contributions have been recognized both within and outside of the maritime community. In February 2013, Captain Miles was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Tall Ships America. In September 2005, he was the master aboard when Pride of Baltimore II suffered a catastrophic dismasting. As a result of the crew and trainees’ conduct during that event, Sail Training International awarded the ship the Special Seamanship Award. Capt. Miles was named Sail Trainer of the Year by the American Sail Training Association in 2004. He has also been recognized for his efforts to shine a positive light on Maryland, having been named Marylander of the Year by the Maryland Colonial Society in 2001.
Jeffrey Crosby, Captain
Duluth, Minnesota
Jeff first joined our crew as a deckhand in 2008 & returned to Pride as chief mate in 2017 and was promoted to captain in 2022. Jeff grew up sailing on Lake Superior on one-design boats and shifted into the traditional sailing world after graduating from the Landing School with a degree in boat building in 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 200-ton near coastal master’s license.
Taylor Methven, Chief Mate
Andover, New Hampshire
Returning to Pride II for another season, Taylor brings previous experience sailing aboard Roseway, AJ Meerwald, Denis Sullivan, and Geronimo. Taylor holds a 100-ton Inland Masters License, AB Sail, and STCW Basic credential. When not working, you can find Taylor at the nearest hockey rink. She has a particular interest in rocks, can solve a Rubik’s cube in under a minute. She is adamant that Andover, New Hampshire is cooler than Andover, Massachusetts
Emerson Jones, Second Mate
Berkley, California
Christina Melendez, Cook
Fort Stewart, Georgia
Christina joins the crew as our cook, bringing with her experience from sailing aboard Manitou, Inland Seas, Alliance, Madeline and Champion. She is especially excited to explore Baltimore’s restaurants and museums this season. Christina’s favorite dish to make is curry, and when she’s not in the galley she enjoys reading and lifting things with her big heavy muscles.
Mary Walker, Engineer
Kapa’a, Hawaii
Mary has been with PRIDE II throughout the winter season, bringing her skill & steady hand to the engine room. In addition to her time aboard Pride II, she has sailed on Clearwater, Lady Maryland, Gazela, and Argia. Beyond her maritime work, Mary is an accomplished woodworker & a champion axe thrower. She would also like everyone to know that her favorite dinosaur is the Stegosaurus.
David Harrison, Deckhand
Quitman, Texas
David is back! Texas Dave brings with him experience sailing aboard Nao Trinidad as a deckhand. Texas Dave is a Marine veteran, has trained as a gunsmith, & holds an associate degree in applied science. Contrary to the typical Texas archetype, David does not have strong opinions about the presence of beans in chili.
Sam Springer, Deckhand
Scituate, Massachusetts
Sam has been sailing with Pride II throughout the Great Lakes this season, after first joining the crew earlier in the year. He grew up sailing dinghies in his home waters of Massachusetts and was a member of the sailing club at Virginia Tech. Sam is a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and was an intern at USCG Small Boat Station Cape Cod Canal, where he participated in helicopter training. While serving with a unit in Virginia, he also took part in Hurricane Helene relief efforts in southwest Virginia. Sam holds his USCG boat crew certification and is a USCG Auxiliary Operational Auxiliarist. When not sailing, he enjoys skiing and mountain biking, and his goal is to commission as an officer in the Coast Guard. His favorite sandwich is the tuna melt, and he continues to insist that his girlfriend exists—she just happens to work on another ship.