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2000 - A Cruise Aboard Pride of Baltimore II
If you or your family were members of Pride of Baltimore,
Inc., you could be lucky enough to go on a day sail aboard this
beautiful sailing ship. Pride of Baltimore II is a replica of a
1812-era Baltimore Clipper topsail schooner. Passengers for these
exciting excursions must be members of the organization. Anyone can
become a member with a contribution of $35 or more. People can sign
up over the web after checking out the Pride II passenger page.
Once aboard, day sailors enjoy helping to sail this "thoroughbred of
sailboats." She is very fast and carries lots of sail. During the
golden era of topsail schooners, around the War of 1812, vessels like
Pride II were the fastest ships afloat. Their purpose was to outrun
British war ships and bring messages and supplies to patriots
defending their young country.
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Pride II is still fast and exciting to ride on. During
their half day sail, passengers help raise and set the mainsail, the
foresail, the staysail, and the jib. If the wind is right, the
captain may even order the square topsail on the foremast be set.
Pride II has lots of other sails as well (11 in all) that are only set
on longer voyages. All this takes lots of people power - both crew
and passengers - because Pride II is sailed just like an 1812
schooner. There are no power wenches (modern machines that help raise
sails) on this sailboat!
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Once the sails are set, passengers can sit back and enjoy
the sound of the wind in the rigging and the sight of the waves
sliding under the hull. They also enjoy the views of Chesapeake Bay,
including cargo steamers, sailboats, and wildlife. It's restful and
refreshing - just like an excursion is supposed to be.
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Pride of Baltimore II carries a crew of 12 professional
sailors. This crew includes a captain, a first mate, a second mate, a
boson, an engineer, and six deckhands. Half of the crew are men, the
other half are women. Only about six crew members would be needed for
a daysail. Pride II carries a full crew of 12 because most of the
time she is sailing to far off places, like Europe or Asia or the
Great Lakes. It takes all 12 crew members to sail a traditional ship
like Pride II across the ocean. She visits these places as the
Goodwill Ambassador for the state of Maryland and the Port of
Baltimore. Spending an afternoon sailing aboard is a special treat for
members. They pay $30 a person for the privilege. The ship can carry
35 passengers for this excursion.
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After three or four hours of stepping back into time to the early 1800's,
passengers return to the port where they got on board - Baltimore,
Annapolis, St. Michael's, Cambridge, Chestertown, Maryland or perhaps
Alexandria, Virginia. Their excursion will have been refreshing and unique.
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