PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II
Pride of Baltimore II
She has a length of 157 feet, a sail area of 9,018 square feet, and a hull made of wood. The Pride of Baltimore II was completed in 1988 and is a replica of the Pride of Baltimore, a replica of a Baltimore schooner in the style of those built around 1812.
Vessels like the Pride of Baltimore were the lifeblood of the fledgling American nation during the War of 1812. Commissioned by the U.S. Government to attack and capture British merchant ships during that war. A Baltimore Schooner and vessels like it were highly successful on privateering missions. Over the next 150 years, the Harbor of Baltimore has seen many ships come and go throughout its long and storied history.
The story of the pride of Baltimore II is one of renewal and rebirth after many years of slow decay and decline; Baltimore was struggling to reinvent itself and become once again—the vibrant center of business, commerce, and comfortable living that it had been in previous decades. The old piers around the inner Harbor had been cleared, and a promenade had been built around the water's edge, but something was still missing; A symbol, an icon to link the city of Baltimore to its Harbor.
The idea of constructing a vessel to draw people into the inner Harbor and the downtown area was born. In 1977, a vessel was built and named the Pride of Baltimore. For nine years, the pride of Baltimore served as an ambassador around the world, logging over 150,000 miles on the open ocean. In May of 1986, the pride of Baltimore was struck by a violent storm just north of Puerto Rico. The vessel was sunk, taking the lives of four crew members. Along with the Memorial built in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, a new ship began construction, and in 1988 the Pride of Baltimore II was born.
Today, the Pride of Baltimore II sails the world and has logged over 175,000 miles telling the story of the original pride and carrying on the legacy of vessels that have protected and shaped our nation.
Helpful Links to more information:
Tall Ships America: Pride of Baltimore II
