Read this short article about the crew, differences between the original Pride and Pride II, Pride II‘s commissioning, her maiden voyage, and more!
An Article from 1988: Pride II heads out on 1st voyage #27forPride2
So what's a commissioning? #27forPride2
Whether you’re an armchair adventurer or a captain with decades of seafaring experience, there’s one thing that’s universally acknowledged: Sailing vessels are breathtakingly pretty. (Especially Pride of Baltimore II.)
But Pride II is more than just a photo op. In addition to the gorgeous images we’ve been sharing from our archives, we wanted to use Pride II’s anniversary as an opportunity to talk shop. We rarely get the chance to discuss what happens when a ship is launched and how it differs from a ship’s commissioning, for instance, but the nuances are actually quite fascinating.
A ship’s commissioning, according to Wikipedia, “is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service.” Essentially, this is the day where the appointed officials say, “Hey, go be a boat.”
When Pride II was commissioned, among the thousands in the crowd were important officials, including a clergyman and the commander of the USS Baltimore. Captain Miles was instructed by the commander to “assume command of the Pride of Baltimore II and place in her commission,” to which Captain Miles responded, “Aye, aye, sir. I am in command. Pride of Baltimore II is now in commission.” Up went the flags and off she sailed, the first part of her maiden voyage ending in Bermuda.
When a vessel is commissioned, it already has a name and is already in the water — this happens at the launch. The launch is the transferring of a vessel to the water. (Pride II was launched on April 30, 1988 after 18 months of construction.) Also at the launch, a bottle of champagne may be broken over the bow as the ship’s name is announced aloud. (Helen Delich Bentley had this honor for Pride II.)
In the time between launch and commissioning, there are sea trials, or test drives for a boat. These trails allow the captain and crew to test the design of the ship, as well as the equipment. Not to mention, sailing a traditionally rigged vessel such as Pride II is very different than sailing a more modernly equipped vessel.
Commissioning is the vessel’s last stop on the road to her maiden voyage. The launch may be the bigger celebration, but the commissioning is when the party really starts.
Twenty-Seven Years of Sailing With Pride #27forPride2
Pride of Baltimore II was commissioned 27 years ago today! An excerpt from Greg Pease’s Sailing with Pride:
Pride of Baltimore II was officially commissioned on Sunday, October 23, 1988 in Fells Point, Baltimore. Hundreds crowded the docks to watch as Pride II was given orders to sail forth on her maiden voyage.
Following dedications by city and state officials and the blessing of the ship by Reverend William N. McKeachie, Commander Patrick Dunne, Captain of the USS Baltimore, gave Captain Jan Miles his commissioning orders. “Captain Miles, assume command of the Pride of Baltimore II and place her in commission,” to which Miles answered, “Aye, aye, sir. I am in command. Pride of Baltimore II is now in commission.” Miles then turned to his crew and order the raising of the flag. Two crew members hoisted a replica of the fifteen-star, fifteen stripe U.S. flag which flew over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. (It was the sight of this flag which inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”) The flags of Maryland and Baltimore and a Pride of Baltimore II pennant were quickly run up, joining the U.S. flag. As Pride II pulled away from the dock, firing her cannons in salute, the Navy band struck up “Anchors Aweigh.”
With an escort of three large schooners and a flotilla of smaller boats, Pride of Baltimore II took her first official tour of the Inner Harbor. It was a crisp, sunny day, and thousands lined the water’s edge to wave farewell. After eighteen months, Pride II was on her way, to not only carry on the mission of her predecessor, but to make her own history as Maryland’s ambassador to the world. –S.S.
THE SUN – OCTOBER 24, 1988
Tomorrow marks the 27th anniversary of Pride II's commissioning #27forPride2
Twenty-seven years ago tomorrow, Pride of Baltimore II was commissioned. Pride II was commissioned as a sailing memorial to her immediate predecessor, the original Pride of Baltimore, which was tragically sunk by a white squall off Puerto Rico in 1986, taking her captain and three crew members down with her.
It was a tremendous outpouring of support from the people of Maryland that allowed Pride II to be built, a “larger and sturdier ship whose role was to promote Maryland’s economic interests.”
Thousands of people gathered for the occasion, capping off a week’s worth of events, including a 60-mile bicycle trip through 8 Maryland counties. In honor of Pride II‘s commissioning, we will be posting related newspaper clippings from this time in 1988 as well as fun, informative articles. So travel back into history with us through the end of the month as we revisit the momentous occasion! #27forPride2 #Pride2Anniversary #TallShip.
Pride II‘s Captain and her first crew are profiled here by the Baltimore Sun: “I see this vessel going far afield, back to Europe, back to Japan, around the world,” says Captain Jan Miles, “When we go abroad, we’ll wind up being an ambassador for the USA.” Read the article from our archives here:
PDF FOR EASY READING COMING SOON!
THE SUN – OCTOBER 18, 1988
SAIL MAIL: A Small World
Greetings!
This month, I want to introduce you to someone.
His name is Chenqi Huang, but he goes by the nickname, Bill.
Bill first came on board Pride of Baltimore II back in 1998, during our Asia tour, in Xiamen, China.
At the time he was just 12 years old.
“I was always interested in sailing,” Bill says, “A Tall Ship was not a common sight in China at the time – I just had to go on board.”
Bill took a deck tour of Pride as part of a program organized by his elementary school.
“Xiamen is a coastal city, and not many Americans visited that part of the country. The crew of Pride of Baltimore, including Captain Miles, were my first encounter with Americans,” he says.
In 2011, Bill moved to the United States in order to study at the University of Maryland. He is currently obtaining his master’s degree in business strategy.
“I visited a friend in Baltimore not too long ago and saw Pride docked in Fells Point. I had to do a double take. ‘Hey!’ I thought, ‘This looks familiar. And sure enough, it was the same beautiful ship I had remembered from those many years ago!”
Beginning in November 1997, Pride sailed nearly 8,000 miles through the Caribbean, across the Panama Canal, to Hawaii, Japan and then China. It was a yearlong voyage and, as the Baltimore Sun reported, it was made to promote trade and business between Maryland and Asia, and solidify relations with key shipping companies that worked with the Port of Baltimore.
Seventeen years later, people still remember the voyage, and the beautiful vessel that is Pride of Baltimore II.
Bill is a great example of the goodwill that Pride has generated around the globe. Since her commissioning in 1988, Pride II has sailed 250,000 nautical miles and visited more than 200 ports in 40 countries, capturing the imagination of millions worldwide.
“I wish more people would have the experience of sailing on Pride for themselves,” Bill continues, “It is a very unique and relaxing experience. I wish you more opportunities to sail around the world and meet more people – you never know, maybe one will come back to Baltimore many years later, just like I did!”
The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race:
October 11-18, 2015
Schooner racing on the Chesapeake Bay is rooted in the trade rivalry between Baltimore, Maryland, at the northern end of the bay, and Portsmouth/Norfolk, Virginia, at the southern end. From the 18th century through the early 20th century, sailing vessels delivered goods and people to their destinations and the fastest often garnered the best price for their cargo by beating the slower vessels into port. Over the years, commercial schooner designs evolved for the bay’s routes, taking into consideration shallow waters, local crops and regional needs, with speed being a primary focus in order to provide a competitive edge. Fast, maneuverable schooners also played a critical role in our nation’s early wars.
In 1988, when the City of Baltimore launched her flagship modeled on those earlier vessels, Pride of Baltimore II, Captain Lane Briggs of the tugantine Norfolk Rebel – the world’s only sail-powered schooner-rigged tugboat – challenged Pride II to a race from Baltimore to Norfolk, reviving an historic rivalry between schooners, captains and cities on the bay. With the challenge accepted, the GCBSR was born and it has endured to this day.
Guest Crew Opportunities
Pride of Baltimore II will be proudly racing in the 26th annual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race (GCBSR). There are still some guest crew spaces left if you are up for an exhilarating experience. Guest crew applications must be reviewed and approved, so apply today. The cost for this GCBSR adventure is $1,000 and you can apply from our Guest Crew Opportunities page.
And…
If you prefer a more relaxing sail, there are also guest crew spaces available for the voyage home from Portsmouth, as well as on two other guest crew trips at the end of the month. Visit our website for more information on guest crew opportunities.
Oysters, Anyone?
Join us at the first annual Great Baltimore Oyster Festival! Hosted by Waterfront Partnership and The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the event will be held on Saturday, October 24th from 1pm to 5pm at West Shore Park. Enjoy live music, oysters, boat tours, family friendly activities and interactive Chesapeake Bay themed displays.
Pride will offer free deck tours and a Day Sail from 10 am-12 pm. Register here.
Rest of October Deck Tours and Day Sails Schedule:
| Date | Location | Event | Time | Cost |
| Oct 24 | Finger Piers | Day Sail | 10am-12pm | Buy Tickets |
| Oct 24 | Great Baltimore Oyster Festival Finger Piers |
Deck Tours | 1-5pm | FREE |
Like Sail Mail? Share Us With a Friend!
I hope you’re enjoying our monthly Sail Mail newsletter. If you have a friend or family member who might enjoy receiving up-to-the-minute news and information about our news, events, and updates (and, of course, our trivia questions), simply send them this link: https://www.pride2.org/e-newsletter-registration/
And they can sign up!
Speaking of Trivia…
Trivia Time!
Congratulations to everyone who correctly answered last month’s question!
The original Pride of Baltimore was flying a fisherman sail in the photo and was steered with a tiller. Pride II is not rigged for a fisherman because it was only useful in a very limited set of conditions and would compromise the square topsail braces. The fisherman is the fore-and-aft rigged sail above the foresail between the two masts. Pride II is steered with a wheel which can be manned by one sailor even in tough conditions.
Ready for this month’s question?
Question: On the Pride of Baltimore II, one of the most frequent questions we get from visitors, as they look up at our rig, is “What’s with all that fuzzy stuff up there? Tell us what it is, and what we use it for.
Email us the correct answer, and you could win a prize!
Until next month,
Rick Scott
Executive Director, Pride of Baltimore II
SAIL MAIL: Defenders' Day With Pride of Baltimore II
Greetings!
Have you been aboard Pride lately? Our Home Port of the Brave season continues in Baltimore this month as we celebrate Defenders’ Day at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. We’ll also feature a special privateers-related book talk. And we’ll be offering day sails and free deck tours at locations around Baltimore’s harbor all month. You won’t want to miss September with Pride of Baltimore II!
Defenders’ Day Weekend Events!
courtesy Greg Pease
Join Pride of Baltimore II and Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine for a truly spectacular Defenders’ Day celebration! From Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13, 2015.
Defenders’ Day is Baltimore’s oldest holiday. It honors the successful defense of the city from British attack and the writing of the National Anthem in 1814.
It’s the biggest weekend of the year at Fort McHenry, and this year will be no exception. This three-day encampment and extravaganza will feature over 65 War of 1812 living historians, parades, military bands, a symbolic ship-to-shore bombardment and much more!
Festivities include military drills, cooking demonstrations, musket drills, a dress parade and Star-Spangled Banner flag interactive activities, with the capstone event being a fireworks showcase on Saturday, September 12 at dusk.
Pride will be docked at Fort McHenry beginning at 12 pm on Friday, September 11. We’ll offer free deck tours, day sails and a very special Fireworks Experience Saturday.
Defenders’ Day Weekend at Fort McHenry:
| Date | Location | Event | Time | Cost |
| Sept 11 | Fort McHenry | Deck Tours | 12-4pm | FREE |
| Sept 12 | Fort McHenry | Deck Tours | 9am-1pm | FREE |
| Sept 12 | Fort McHenry | Day Sail | 2-4pm | Buy Tickets |
| Sept 12 | Baltimore Marine Center at Lighthouse Point | Defenders’ Day Fireworks Experience | 7-9pm | Buy Tickets |
| Sept 13 | Fort McHenry | Deck Tours | 9am-1pm | FREE |
| Sept 13 | Fort McHenry | Day Sail | 2-4pm | Buy Tickets |
Our Fireworks Experience offers you a special opportunity to see the fireworks from one of the best locations in the Inner Harbor – aboard our tall ship! You can enjoy the unique perspective of watching the fireworks from the water, and even bring your own food and beverages to enjoy (no glass containers).
For complete details about Defenders’ Day Weekend at Fort McHenry,
visit the Fort McHenry website.
For more details on our Defenders’ Day Activities, visit our website.
Privateer Book Talk and Sails
Due to popular demand, the sunset sail excursion of our privateers book talk has sold out! So we are offering a second sail before the lecture. See below for details.
On Sunday, September 20, author David Head will lead a fascinating discussion about his new book, Privateers of the Americas (publish date: October, 2015).
We all know about the critical role privateers played in America’s ‘Second War for Independence,’ but what happened to privateers after the War of 1812?
In his new book, David Head examines raids on Spanish shipping conducted from the United States during the early 1800s – and how they influenced politics in South America. Among the available histories of privateering, there is no comparable work.
Seafarers living in the United States secured commissions from Spanish American nations, attacked Spanish vessels, and returned to sell their captured cargoes from bases in Baltimore, New Orleans, and Galveston and on Amelia Island. Privateers sold millions of dollars of goods to untold numbers of ordinary Americans. Their collective enterprise involved more than a hundred vessels and thousands of people – not only ships’ crews but investors, merchants, suppliers, and others. They angered foreign diplomats, worried American officials, and muddied U.S. foreign relations.
David Head will discuss how Spanish American privateering worked and who engaged in it; how the U.S. government responded; how privateers and their supporters evaded or exploited laws and international relations; what motivated men to choose this line of work; and ultimately, what it meant to them to sail for the new republics of Spanish America. His findings broaden our understanding of the experience of being an American in a wider world.
Before and after the book talk, Pride will embark on a two-hour day sail from the Baltimore Marine Center at Lighthouse Point into the Patapsco River. She’ll pass Fort McHenry and sail near the Key Bridge, just like Francis Scott Key did during the War of 1812. With her sails unfurled, Pride is a sight to behold.
Get your tickets now while you still can!
Complete details are as follows:
| Date & Time: Sunday, September 20, 2015 | |
| 12:30–2:30pm | Day Sail aboard Pride of Baltimore II |
| 3-5pm | Privateers of the Americas book talk with author David Head |
| 5:30-7:30pm | Sunset Sail aboard Pride of Baltimore II **SOLD OUT** |
| Location: Pride of Baltimore Headquarters, 2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 330 Baltimore, MD 21224. Free street parking is available on Boston Street. A paid parking lot is available behind the gate, between 7-Eleven and the shop, Boston Street Running. | |
| Ticketing Information: The Day Sail is $60 for Privateer Society Members and $75 for non-members. The Member discount code for the day sail is GOSAILING. Register for the day sail here.The Privateers of the Americas book talk is $20 for non-members and $10 for Privateer Society Members. The Member discount code for book talk is PRIVATEER. Register for book talk here.The Sunset Sail is $60 for Privateer Society Members and $75 Non-Members. Register for sunset sail here. **SOLD OUT**This event is co-sponsored by the Maryland Historical Society Maritime Committee and Pride of Baltimore, Inc. |
|
National Aquarium + Half-Price Friday Nights
Heard about the National Aquarium’s Half-Price Friday Nights? Get access to the Aquarium’s award-winning exhibits for half the price of general admission during Half-Price Friday Nights, brought to you by M&T Bank. Half-Price Friday Nights runs year-round, allowing you to spend any (or every) Friday evening after 5 pm with the Aquarium’s 20,000-plus animal residents!
And while you’re in town, come and see Pride – We’ll be offering FREE deck tours from our dock location at Pier 3, right next to the Aquarium, on Friday from 4 to 7:30 pm!
Pride will be at the National Aquarium on the following dates:
| Date | Location | Event | Time | Cost |
| Sept 18 | Pier 3 at the National Aquarium | Deck Tours | 4-7:30pm | FREE |
| Sept 25 | Pier 3 at the National Aquarium | Deck Tours | 4-7:30pm | FREE |
For more information about Half-Price Friday Nights at the National Aquarium,
click here.
Our September Deck Tours and Day Sails Schedule
A Deck Tour is the ultimate way to explore Pride of Baltimore II, learn about past and present life aboard schooner privateers, and interact with our passionate and knowledgeable crew. Tours are open to adults and children, and groups of all types.
A Day Sail aboard Pride provides a unique opportunity to stand on her deck and imagine life as part of the crew in the 1800s. Guests can lend a hand to raise the sails as they learn about Baltimore’s rich maritime history.
In September, we are offering Deck Tours and Day Sails on these dates:
| Date | Location | Event | Time | Cost |
| Sept 5 | Constellation Pier | Deck Tours | 10am-2pm | FREE |
| Sept 5 | Constellation Pier | Day Sail | 4-6pm | |
| Sept 6 | Constellation Pier | Deck Tours | 10am-2pm | FREE |
| Sept 6 | Constellation Pier | Day Sail | 5-7pm | |
| Sept 7 | Broadway Pier in Fells Point | Deck Tours | 3-5pm | FREE |
| Sept 7 | Broadway Pier in Fells Point | Day Sail | 3-5pm | |
| Sept 11 | Fort McHenry | Deck Tours | 12-4pm | FREE |
| Sept 12 | Fort McHenry | Deck Tours | 9am-1pm | FREE |
| Sept 12 | Fort McHenry | Day Sail | 2-4pm | Buy Tickets |
| Sept 12 | Baltimore Marine Center at Lighthouse Point | Defender’s Day Fireworks Experience | 7-9pm | Buy Tickets |
| Sept 13 | Fort McHenry | Deck Tours | 9am-1pm | FREE |
| Sept 13 | Fort McHenry | Day Sail | 2-4pm | Buy Tickets |
| Sept 17 | Constellation Pier | Sunset Sail | 5:30-7:30pm | Buy Tickets |
| Sept 18 | Pier 3 at the National Aquarium | Deck Tours | 4-7:30pm | FREE |
| Sept 25 | Pier 3 at the National Aquarium | Deck Tours | 4-7:30pm | FREE |
| Sept 26 | Constellation Pier | Deck Tours | 10am-4pm | FREE |
Privateer Artifacts and Cannon Mysteries
courtesy John Emond
On Wednesday, October 7 from 7 to 9 pm, join us as we see authentic privateer documents and artifacts from the French and Indian War through the War of 1812 including an original Letter of Marque and sword from the privateer Viper. See documents proving American citizenship to try and stop British impressment on the high seas, a leading cause of the War of 1812. See a New England town’s auction for items taken by an American privateer from a British armed merchant ship.
On display will be two small cannons; one of them is of a type and age (late 18th to early 19th century) that would have fit well on board the original “Pride of Baltimore”, Chasseur. Each has an interesting mystery that will be discussed. The evening concludes with a “history raffle” of several original newspapers.
This lecture is presented by John Emond, a retired NASA program manager and collector of military antiques.
To register, click here. Tickets are $5 members and $10 non-members. The discount code for members is ARTIFACT.
Like Sail Mail? Share Us With a Friend!
I hope you’re enjoying our monthly Sail Mail! newsletter. If you have a friend or family member who might enjoy receiving news and information about our news, events, and updates (and, of course, our trivia questions), simply send them this link: https://www.pride2.org/e-newsletter-registration/
And they can sign up!
Speaking of Trivia…
Trivia Time!
The original Pride of Baltimore (1977-1986), pictured at right, was the first “reconstructed” Baltimore Clipper. It was designed by noted naval architect Thomas Gilmer based on historical documents of Chesapeake-based privateer schooners active in the War of 1812. The Pride of Baltimore II, constructed in 1988, is larger and has incorporated numerous changes based on experience with the original Pride.
Question: Can you describe one feature in Pride’s rig seen here that is not to be found on Pride II? If that’s easy, look carefully at the helmsman and describe another major difference between the two. (Click on the image to view a larger version.)
Email us your answer, and you could win a prize!
Until next month,
Rick Scott
Executive Director, Pride of Baltimore Inc.