CAPTAIN'S LOG: Crew Rest and Repair

For the first time since this sailing year’s crew came aboard March 3rd they are experiencing time off. Unusually it is two days in a row (something almost unheard of,) but very well received by all. This rest period of is also marked by rain – a lot of rain – with more to come as all of us go back to work Sunday. But at least it is warmer!!!

 After the snowy Maryland Day PRIDE remained in Annapolis an extra day to let the windy Wednesday blow by before returning to Baltimore. And windy it was! Pride would lean notably some degrees in the puffs. No flags set to preserve them from the wear they would get from puffs of 30+ knots. The cold was more than it had been for Maryland Day due to wind chill, but also due to just plain being colder. 

 The day did not go to waste while it was much appreciated that we were not “out there” trying to motor our way against the wind to Baltimore. The morning was spent with Captain Trost and Pride, Inc.’s Historian Volunteer, Pierre Henkart, touring the Naval Academy Museum. More 1812 history for the crew to become conversant with (the Navy’s version.) Not much conversation about the activities of privateers…naturally. Still it was fascinating for the crew. Lunch back aboard had all kinds of conversation about what was most interesting. While there were a lot of different things to be impressed by, the prisoner-made models of sailing ships of the day were the most amazing. Sea mammal bone was a common material. The detail seen in the models, right down to actual fastening schedule, begged the question of how much light was available considering the conditions of British prisons of American crews of captured privateers. The conditions were cruel even for the time.

 The afternoon was spent organizing the down below areas of PRIDE that had been hastily loaded during the rush to rig PRIDE up and tie on sails for the Maryland Day/Star Spangled Replica Flag transport to Annapolis and parade to Maryland’s Capital. The day ended for the first time in a long time at 5 PM rather than nearer to 6:30-7:00 PM. 

 The weather for the motor back to Baltimore was happily calm hence quite a lot warmer. The transit time was spent reviewing safety protocols again as a refresher to the safety discussions and drill done during the transit to Annapolis. 

 So, what does PRIDE’s crew, used to working seven days a week, do when suddenly there are two days off in a row? Sleep in late is the first thing…at least for some. The real opportunity though is going for refreshments and food courtesy of Captain Jamie Trost and his wife Kathleen Moore in enticement to assist in moving them from one place of abode to another…about six blocks apart. Considering there is not much to do in Baltimore except go to great museums or possibly shop…I think there would be great fun be found for a potentially listless crew by spending an afternoon making the move…don’t you? 

 Easy for me to say…I stayed home…plenty for me to catch up with there after a length of time of seven-day work weeks. 

 Signed…the time-off Captains and Crew of PRIDE

 

 

CAPTAIN'S LOG: Maryland Day Activites

March 25th is Maryland Day. 

380 years ago on March 25th the first official colonists landed in what was then designated as Maryland. 

This year Pride of Baltimore marked this day for the first time by sailing to Annapolis to partner up with the Maryland Historical Society and Fort McHenry in commemorating both the day and the showing of the first full scale true replica of the Star-Spangled Banner. 

PRIDE AND FLAG

Pride was the carrier of the Replica Flag from Fort McHenry to Annapolis. In Annapolis four from Pride‘s crew, led by Captain Jamie Trost, carried the Banner in a procession of 1812 War period costumed militia and soldiers from Fort McHenry along with Executive Director Rick Scott & VIPs of Pride, Inc. as well VIPs of the Maryland Historical Society up to Maryland’s Capital Building. There the flag was stretched out by all assembled for viewing. In addition Governor O’Malley made awards and remarks. Awards were grants to winning grant applicants for what they will do during this final commemorative year of the 200th anniversary of the 1812 War. Pride, Inc. was awarded a grant of $125,000 to assist with her visiting around Maryland this year. Remarks were about the Governor’s pride to see the flag flying from Pride and see it shown to all at the State Capital. 

All this with uncharacteristic for the time of the year snow falling and temperatures plummeting. 

snow flag state

The day ended with a reception aboard Pride for Delegates of the Maryland Legislature. The cold drove all below – at first in take turn cycles – but then all were below with food and drink and great comradeship.

Media coverage was significant for both the day of transit as well Maryland Day. 

What a great collaboration! What a great way to mark Maryland Day! 

Pride of Baltimore is the living symbol of Baltimore built schooners used as privateers in the 1812 War that caused the British to came to bombard Fort McHenry in their effort to destroy the shipyards. The successful defense by Fort McHenry and the militia guarding the land access to the shipyards of Fell’s Point in Baltimore are the reason the large 15-star-15-stripe national flag was observed flying over the Fort by Francis Scott Key as the British disengaged from their failed effort to destroy the Pride like vessels of that war. Seeing the flag wave that morning after the all night battle moved Mr. Key to write the poetry that is now our National Anthem. Pride sailing the Replica Flag to Annapolis for Maryland Day with partners from Fort McHenry and the Maryland Historical Society is a great way to mark Maryland Day and the commencement of the final year of commemoration of the war that brought identity for being American and introduced to the world, in a dramatic way, the young United States of America! 

Wouldn’t you say?

 

Jan C. Miles
A Captain for Pride of Baltimore, Inc. 

 

PRESS RELEASE: Maryland Day Celebrations with Pride of Baltimore II and the Maryland Historical Society

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Pride of Baltimore: Kate Cwiek kate@pride2.org 410-539-1170
Maryland Historical Society: Laura Rodini lrodini@mdhs.org 410-685-3750 Ext. 322

Maryland Day Celebrations with Pride of Baltimore II
and the Maryland Historical Society

See the Recreated Star-Spangled Banner Flag at the
Maryland Statehouse in Annapolis March 25, 2014

 


Img: Pride II

BALTIMORE, March 17, 2013 — The Maryland Historical Society (MdHS) is partnering with Pride of Baltimore II to celebrate Maryland Day with special events in Baltimore and Annapolis on Monday, March 24 and Tuesday, March 25, 2013.

On board “The Pride II” will be the 30 x 42 foot Star-Spangled Banner flag that over 1,000 Maryland Historical Society volunteers created in the summer of 2013 using authentic fabric and hand stitching techniques. The flag gained international media attention for The Maryland Historical Society and its partners in commemoration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Burt Kummerow, President of the Maryland Historical Society, said that this March 25th has double importance. “Maryland sets aside March 25th every year to celebrate the founding of Maryland in 1634. This year, Maryland Day also points to the beginnings of a Star Spangled Banner events remembering the War of 1812 and the writing of the country’s national anthem.”

Following the voyage, beginning at 12:15 PM on Tuesday, March 25, the Pride of Baltimore II and the Maryland Historical Society will join forces with several other partners commemorating Maryland’s Star Spangled 200 events.

A procession featuring the recreated Star-Spangled Banner will take place from the Annapolis City Dock to the steps of the Statehouse .

A ceremony with elected officials and volunteer stitchers will follow. At 12:30PM, the recreated Star-Spangled Banner will be unfurled for the first time at the Statehouse before returning to be hoisted on the  “The Pride II” later that afternoon. The general public is welcome and invited to attend the ceremony. Free tours of Pride II will also be offered between 2:00 & 4:00 PM.

The complete schedule of Maryland Day events is as follows:

Monday, March 24

Details to come.

Tuesday, March 25

Baltimore
10:00 AM: Society of Colonial Wars wreath laying event
Location: Baltimore Courthouse, Cecilius Calvert Statue

Annapolis
12:15 PM: Procession of recreated Star-Spangled Banner flag to State House
Location: Annapolis City Dock

12:30 PM-1:30 PM: The recreated Star-Spangled Banner glad will be unfurled on the steps of the west (modern) end of the State House. Flag stitchers and local school children will display the Flag in a short ceremony
Location: Annapolis State House

1:15 PM: The Maryland Governor attends a 1812 Bicentennial Commission Award Ceremony
Location: Annapolis State House

1:30 PM: Return procession to City Dock with our SSB
Location: Annapolis Statehouse

2:00 – 4:00 PM: Tours of Pride of Baltimore II will be free and available to the general public. Flag Talks will be given by National Park Service staff
Location: Annapolis City Dock

4:30 – 6:30 PM
Private reception at City Dock on Pride of Baltimore II for General Assembly
Location: Annapolis City Dock

5:00 PM
Former State Archivist Dr. Ed Papenfuse keynote remarks about the meaning of Maryland Day
Location: Annapolis City Dock

What Is Maryland Day?


Img: Ark and Dove, John Moll, MdHS, M1955.44.1

In March, 1634, after a long, difficult Atlantic winter crossing, the ships Ark and Dove sailed up the Potomac River.  The March 25, 1634 mass on St. Clements Island celebrated the beginning of spring and the planting season, the Feast of the Annunciation and a fragile but hopeful escape from the religious bigotry that was rampant in 17th century Europe. In 1903, Maryland leaders set aside March 25 as a day devoted to remembering Maryland history. In 1916, as the United States entered a world war, the Old Line State turned Maryland History Day into an official holiday.

The Star-Spangled Banner’s Bicentennial Celebrations Continue


Img: The recreated Star-Spangled Banner flag with its stitchers and Education Director Kristin Schenning

Maryland Historical Society President Burt Kummerow said, “We can’t think of a better way to begin our Star Spangled Year than to unfurl our authentic recreation of the historic flag on the steps of the Maryland Statehouse.”

The Maryland Day celebration marks the second time the recreated Star-Spangled Banner will be on view to the public. On Defenders Day, 2013, the recreated Star-Spangled Banner flew for the first time at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore. The recreated Star-Spangled Banner will be featured this summer as part of Flag Day festivities at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. The original manuscript of The Star-Spangled Banner, penned in Francis Scott Key’s hand, will be on loan to the National Museum of American History from June 14-July 6, 2014.

The Maryland Historical Society is partnering with the following organizations to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812; Pride of Baltimore II, Fort McHenry national Monument and Historic Shrine, the General Assembly and the Statehouse Trust, the 1812 Bicentennial Commission, Star Spangled 200, the Ark and Dove Society, the Society of Colonial Wars and Historic Annapolis. The festivities will culminate in September, 2014 with a statewide “Star-Spangled Spectacular” celebration. For full details visit: http://www.starspangled200.com/.

For details about Pride II’s voyage from Baltimore to Annapolis, contact Marketing Manager Kate Cwiek at 410-539-1170 or kate@pride1.org.

For details about the recreated Star-Spangled Banner and Maryland Day events with The Maryland Historical Society, contact Marketing Director Laura Rodini at lrodini@mdhs.org or by phone: 410-685-3750 ext. 322.

About the Pride of Baltimore

Pride of Baltimore II represents early 19th Century Baltimore-built, topsail schooners – the sleek, fast, and maneuverable vessels famous during the War of 1812.  These schooners were privately owned, well-armed privateers that ran the British blockade of the U.S. ports. Chasseur was the largest, most successful of these privateers, and in a daring voyage to Great Britain, captured 17 British ships earning the nickname “Pride of Baltimore.” 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 www.pride2.org.

About the Maryland Historical Society

Founded in 1844, The Maryland Historical Society Museum and Library occupies an entire city block in the Mount Vernon district of Baltimore. The society’s mission is to “collect, preserve, and interpret the objects and materials that reflect Maryland’s diverse cultural heritage.” The Society is home to the original manuscript of the Star-Spangled Banner and publishes a quarterly titled “Maryland Historical Magazine.” Visit www.mdhs.org.