PRESS RELEASE: Pride to Celebrate the Fourth of July in Baltimore for the Firs Time Since Her Commissioning in 1988

For Immediate Release
Date: June 24, 2014
Contact: Kate Cwiek, PR & Marketing Manager:
kate@pride2.org, 410-539-1170

 

PRIDE TO CELEBRATE THE FOURTH OF JULY IN BALTIMORE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE HER COMMISSIONING IN 1988

America’s Star-spangled Ambassador will be open to the public for special fireworks sail on July 4

 

BALTIMORE, MD (June 24, 2014) – July 2014 is the first time since Pride of Baltimore II’s 1988 commissioning that the vessel will remain local for Fourth of July festivities in the Inner Harbor. “In this bicentennial year of our national anthem, we’re honored for Pride to celebrate Independence Day in Baltimore for the first time ever. Visitors can experience a triumvirate of the War of 1812 exhibits — the Fort, the Flag, and the Fighting Sail — that made our city famous,” said Captain Jamie Trost.

Pride of Baltimore’s public schedule for the weekend is as follows:

Thursday, July 3, 2014
6:00 – 8:00 PM: Day Sail ($45 per person, ticket info: https://www.pride2.org/comeaboard/)
Constellation Pier (301 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202)

Friday, July 4, 2014
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Free Deck Tours
Fort McHenry National Monument and Shrine Dock (2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230)
8:30 PM – 10:30 PM: Fireworks Sail! ($125 per person, ticket info: https://www.pride2.org/comeaboard/)
Constellation Pier (301 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202)

Saturday, July 5, 2014:
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Free Deck Tours
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Day Sail ($45 per person)
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Evening Sail with Fort McHenry Cannon Salute ($45 per person)
Ticket info: https://www.pride2.org/comeaboard/
Tours and sails depart from Fort McHenry National Monument and Shrine Dock (2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230)

Sunday, July 6, 2014
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Guided Deck Tours ($5 per person)
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Day Sail ($45 per person, ticket info: https://www.pride2.org/comeaboard/)
Fort McHenry National Monument and Shrine Dock (2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230)

About the Pride of Baltimore
Pride of Baltimore II 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 1814. 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, celebrating the 200th anniversary of our National Anthem. 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.

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Bearing the Standard of Friendship

1 July (Canada Day) 2013

Pride of Baltimore II is currently climbing her way over the Niagara Escarpment through the Welland Canal. I departed the ship yesterday, leaving her in the capable hands of Captain Miles for her passage through the mighty locks. Leaving by car, I crossed the border between Canada and the US in a vehicle other than a ship for the first time in 14 years. The Niagara Peninsula was spectacular – stands of trees, vineyards, and grassy parks shown in vibrant green under a cloud-speckled blue sky.

All along the way, however, were the relics of 1812. Scattered stone walls, stately Fort George, and towering over the forested bluffs of Queenston Heights, Brock’s monument, commemorating the heroic death of General Brock at the battle there. All reminders that 200 years ago this picturesque expanse was host to a heated war between two young nations. The War of 1812 defined both Canada and America, particularly along the Great Lakes, where a dozen or more American invasions found Canadians united in a cause for the first time in their short history.

Baltimore was also defined by invasion during the war. During the Battle of Baltimore immigrants, merchants, former slaves, militia, and descendants of original settlers all joined together with the few federal troops on scene to defend Baltimore against a powerful British Force. Their successful efforts had the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry to inspire Francis Scott Key to write our National Anthem.

Nearly two centuries later, we still commemorate and remember the heroism of 1812 on both sides of the world’s longest undefended border. But we also celebrate the long-standing peace between the United States and Canada. For our part in commemorating and celebrating, Pride, Inc. has been presenting each Canadian port Pride II visits with a special gift – a three-foot by five-foot linen replica of the 15-star, 15-stripe Star-Spangled Banner of 1812. Each of these flags were flown over Fort McHenry, on the pole standing on the very spot it did during the Battle of Baltimore, folded by Maryland students visiting the Fort, then carried from Baltimore aboard Pride II, and flown over the ship in local waters as we approached each port.

 

Sharing the Star-Spangled Banner

So far this year, we have presented these flags in Miramichi, New Brunswick and Brockville, Toronto, and Port Dalhousie, Ontario, always citing the 199 years (and counting) of friendship between our nations. Each presentation has been met with hushed astonishment from public officials, roaring applause from the gathered crowds, and whoops of approval from local Canadian Legion Veterans. Even after four presentation ceremonies, it never got easier for me to contain my own emotions as I witnessed the heartfelt appreciation with which the flag was accepted. This small token carries enormous import and weight.

History, peace, and friendship are cargo that Maryland’s Goodwill Ambassador joyfully carries. From our departure past Fort McHenry (America’s only National Historic Shrine) on 21 May, Pride II has not been burdened by carrying these flags, but made more buoyant in her role. So on Canada Day we remind our brothers and sisters to the North that we are right beside them as they “stand on guard.” And when our Star-Spangled Banner waves this Thursday, we will remember there is freedom and bravery in great store on both sides of the Great Lakes.

Sincerely,

 

Captain Jamie Trost