Educating the Next Generation

 

Over the past two weeks, captains and crew of Pride of Baltimore II joined with rangers at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine to teach students about the War of 1812 and the role of Privateers. Students from across Baltimore City schools came aboard to immerse themselves in maritime technology, the ins and outs of the ship, and navigating the Chesapeake Bay. For some students, this was their first time on a boat! With lessons in both American history and Maryland history, it was a thrill for our crew to meet these students and create a one-of-a-kind learning experience for them.

The education program is part of a new partnership between Pride and the National Park Service Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, a 560-mile land and water route that tells the story of the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake Bay region. It connects historic sites in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, and commemorates the events leading up to the Battle of Baltimore, the aftermath of which inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem. This partnership introduces hundreds of students to Maryland’s unique history and is an incredible opportunity to educate the next generation about the history of our great state and its role in shaping a young nation. We hope that this partnership will inspire young minds, instilling pride in their state and pride in their country.

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CAPTAIN'S LOG: Pride in the People

September 15, 2014

Pride of Baltimore II, alongside at Constellation Pier, Inner Harbor

Wx: East Force 1, 2/8 Celebratory Cumulus, the rest of the sky a Bicentennial Blue

Today’s dawn ushers in a whole new century of our storied national anthem, and a well-worn Pride II crew has seen to it that the ship and the city have marked the anniversary with style and passion. Some ships have already left, the guns and jets are silent now, crowds of visitors still swarm the harbor. But yesterday’s crescendo has washed over and while we bask in the success and import of “Spectacular,” the typical snap and bustle aboard is slightly leaden with fatigue. And no surprise– during the 25 hours actual hours of the Battle of Baltimore anniversary, crew and ship were in full action themselves. With a rotation of watches and captains, plus lots of work from shore side office staff, we scarcely stopped moving, and never stopped commemorating the incredible events of 200 years ago.

As the guns of Fort McHenry thundered out Saturday morning,we sailed alongside a British-flagged Lynx and waved a truce flag over our Francis Scott Key impersonator as he plead his case across the rail for Royal Marines to unhand Doctor Beanes. When the historically timed “re-enactment rain” came down (nearly to the minute, according to the 1814 accounts), we rigged awnings, waited for the sky to clear, then sailed in sleek silence under the roaring military muscle of the Blue Angels. As the town turned electric for the prelude to the fireworks, Pride paraded through the harbor to blast off a national broadcast with three guns. When the “bombs” of the pyrotechnics bust over Fort McHenry and Baltimore Harbor, 100 viewers joined us on deck. Then, once the dust settled, irrepressibly enthusiastic Ranger Vince Vaise from the Fort narrated a midnight retracing of the final desperate British assault on the batteries up the Ferry Branch of the Patapsco.

From three to six am things fell silent, just as they did in 1814. But the crisp morning ushered in a new flurry of action. The culminating moment of the weekend would feature Baltimore’s 1812 historic triumvirate – the Maryland Historical Society’s hand-sewn replica of the Star-Spangled Banner would be hoisted over the Fort while Pride II stood in the offing as Key’s truce ship President and a collected squadron of Tall Ships around her represented the invading British.

With Pride II booked full of enthusiastic passengers and logistics of the ship movements rattling in my mind, Captain Miles and I decided it would work smoothest if he sailed the ship and I marshaled the squadron from a vantage ashore. To foster that plan along, Ranger Vaise welcomed me, along with my wife and parents, to survey the scene from the commanding perch of the Fort’s Bastion 5. Equipped with a handheld VHF and copies of the pages of notes and schematics I’d issued to the ships, we set off for the Fort’s dock in Pride II’s rescue boat. The physical bustle and tangible excitement at the Fort stewed with amazement – this was it, the very morning, the day when the focus of so much 1812 education, programming, efforts, and toiling over months and years was about to float in the September breeze for Baltimore and the world to see.

Ships trickled out from downtown. The inbound cruise ship Carnival Pride cleared the channel into South Locust Point and left the harbor to historic craft. US Armed Forces, and Sailors and Marines from our 1812 adversaries come allies Canada and England, took up position around dignitaries from local, state, and national government in the Parade Ground within the walls. Sun glinted off the black barrels of replica and modern armaments as they stood silently ready for a barrage of salutes. The cool northeast breeze streamed the Fort’s Storm Flag in anticipation.

The pieces started moving. Ranger Vaise, radiating excitement even through a veil of exhaustion, orchestrated the unfurling and preparation of the replica Garrison Flag. The ships slid over glittering water into position under a mantle of low cumulus. As the events of the battle were narrated, a crowd began to gather on the bastion around me, watching the ships. At first I was irritated – with eleven ships and two pulling boats to coordinate, I’d envisioned relative solitude to lay out my notes and coordinate via radio. Having a crowd to eavesdrop and chime in on the necessary communications might offer more than a slight nuisance.

But as the ceremony in the Fort and formation beyond the ramparts continued shaping up, I noticed there were nearly as many people on the bastion with me as in the parade ground. They whispered questions: What’s that ship? Where are they from? What are they all doing? And I had time, as the squadron deftly arrayed themselves across the river, to answer all the questions. Between radio calls to shift and tighten up the line, I could tell the people, these mesmerized appreciators of history, what they were seeing and how much it looked like what Major George Armistead saw 200 years ago that very minute. I wasn’t alone, and was happy for it. I was surrounded by people who, like me, felt deeply moved by this instance, the commemoration of America’s emergence from a divisive and trying, nearly adolescent, conflict into maturity.

The Army Old Guard fired a salvo. When the smoke cleared and the guns fell silent, the ramparts were teeming with people. A last salute from a replica 24lb gun, and the fifing of “Yankee Doodle” lifted the hand-sewn replica aloft. Lynx and Sultana swapped their British ensigns for American. Salutes and cheers echoed from the ships. Through the smoke,their rigs etched a striking visage of history.

By 0940, Pride II was on station off the water battery and the ships processed in, saluting both her and the Fort. Pride II’s Key impersonator was standing at the rail, cheering in the new era of the Star-Spangled Banner. Up on the ramparts, the crowd around me pressed in,asking more eager questions whenever I wasn’t hailing the passing ships on radio to thank them for their part in this historic event. It got so crowed that we were forced off the bricks and (to the chagrin of the Rangers) onto the grass that sprouted from the earthworks. Like most forts of her era, Fort McHenry is mostly earthwork – largely composed of dirt, held together by brick sheathing. Throughout the 214 years of the Fort’s existence, the bricks have been renewed, but the earth inside is still the same.

And then I realized the truth of the week – that we at Pride, the Fort, and Maryland Historical Society had helped, but history had repeated itself organically. Two-hundred years ago, this week was won by the citizens of Baltimore unexpectedly repulsing the British attack. And as Fort, Flag, and Fighting Sail recreated the events of 1814 on a brilliantly sunny morning, it was we citizens of today’s Baltimore that stood on the very earthworks our counterparts defended two centuries ago. Our feet connected us to the timeline of history, the living earth of the Fort, the very foundation of our “Land of the free,” our “Home of the Brave.”

Captain Jamie Trost

PRESS RELEASE: Pride of Baltimore II to Lend Tall Ship Fleet in Star-Spangled Reenactment Sail

Contact: Kate Cwiek, PR & Marketing Manager
kate@pride2.org, Office: 410-539-1170, Cell: 240-643-0316

 

PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II TO LEAD TALL SHIP FLEET
IN STAR-SPANGLED REENACTMENT SAIL

Tall Ships to Reenact the Bombardment of Fort McHenry on Sunday, September 14th,
the 200th Anniversary of our National Anthem

 

BALTIMORE, MD (September 12, 2014) — On Sunday, September 14 between 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Pride of Baltimore II will lead a squadron of 10 traditional sailing vessels through the waters where, 200 years ago to the day, Francis Scott Key witnessed both the intense bombardment and the triumphant raising of the 42 x 30 foot Star-Spangled Banner over the Fort. Participating vessels in the real-time reenactment sail include the Adventurer, Celebration, Elf, Farewell, Kalmar Nyckle, Lady Maryland, Lynx, Pride of Baltimore II, Sigsbee and Sultana.

Pride of Baltimore II will portray President, the vessel Francis Scott Key sailed aboard to negotiate for the release of Dr. William Beanes from British custody. A Francis Scott Key impersonator will be aboard Pride, and will be standing on the rail to proclaim Victory as the ships process between the Fort and the vessel. At the start of the sail the Fort will be flying a 25 x 17’ “Storm Flag,” as it did prior to 9:00 AM on September 14th, 1813. At 9:00 AM, the highlight of the event will be the changing of the smaller “Storm Flag” for the larger 42 x 30’ “Garrison Flag.”

It was the ingenuity of the Fells Point shipyards and the success of Baltimore privateers, like the Pride of Baltimore II, that 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.”

Sunday, September 14
“Star-Spangled” (Reenactment) Sail
7:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Pride captains have expertise in the maritime War of 1812 and are available for live interviews. Some of the participating vessels may still have space aboard for media. Contact Kate Cwiek: 240-643-0316 if interested in coming aboard. Pride will depart from the Baltimore Marine Center Boatel & Yard (1800 S. Clinton Street, Baltimore, MD 21224) at 7:30 AM.

About the Pride of Baltimore

The Pride of Baltimore’s mission is to promote historical maritime education, foster economic development and tourism, and represent the people of Maryland in every port she visits. 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.” 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 sailing schedule, education initiatives, or membership program, please visit www.pride2.org.

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Captain Miles Honored as "Honorary Colonel" at Fort McHenry Military Tattoo

The experience of the Military Tattoo event on June 28th would have been amazing even without having been chosen to receive status as Honorary Colonel of the Fort McHenry Guard! Sitting with Ranger Vince Vaise on the podium, observing the four Fife and Drum Corps passing by us, was surrealistic and a great honor! I was not a member of the general crowd, but almost alone on a podium in front of the bands. What a strange and honored experience!

I would like to give my sincere thanks to the very dedicated folks at Fort McHenry for bestowing upon the Honorary Colonel designation. They are a most dedicated group of professionals and volunteers. To be given membership to the long and dedicated traditions there is most humbling and something I greatly treasure.

captain-miles-tattoo-june-28-

To the colleagues and friends I’ve made over the years through the astonishing four decade legacy of the PRIDEs of Baltimore, it is important to me that you know my deep appreciation and honor to be a part of your constant support. May PRIDE continue many voyages as our worldwide renowned “Star-Spangled Ambassador” and maritime icon of our city, our state, our nation, and our world.

Together we stand knowing our accomplishments of the last four decades are proof of the value and importance of preserving the PRIDE legacy in perpetuity. The legacy is a story of all of us that spans our past and our renaissance since 1976. Like all valued shrines of our past that we support, such as Fort McHenry, we recognize the value of our “living” legacy through sailing PRIDE far and wide. Through those voyages we now posses the only American sailing vessel so widely well known by the nation and the world. What an honor it is to be a member among all of you!

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://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://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://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://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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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.