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Pride of Baltimore
Pride of Baltimore
Pride of Baltimore
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Pride of Baltimore in October 1981

Pride of Baltimore was a reproduction of a typical early 19th-century "Baltimore clipper" topsail schooner, commissioned to represent Baltimore, Maryland. This was a style of vessel made famous by its success as a privateer during the War of 1812 against British merchant shipping. After the end of the war in 1815, Baltimore clippers did not have sufficient cargo capacity for normal merchant trade, so some were used in the illegal American opium trade into China and vessels of the same type were used in the Atlantic slave trade from Africa.[1]

Pride of Baltimore was commissioned on 1 May 1977 by the 44th Mayor of Baltimore, William Donald Schaefer, in an elaborate public ceremony in the historic Inner Harbor watched by thousands of Baltimoreans and Marylanders. She spent nine years at sea logging over 150,000 miles, equivalent to traveling six times around the globe. On 14 May 1986, the first Pride of Baltimore was lost at sea in the Caribbean, and her captain and three of the crew died.

The Pride of Baltimore II was commissioned as the successor and memorial to the Pride in 1988, sailing in the same Goodwill Ambassador role for the city of Baltimore, but its role has now expanded to also representing the State of Maryland and the "Land of Pleasant Living" in the Chesapeake Bay region. Pride II has sailed nearly 200,000 miles and visited over 200 ports in 40 countries in its now near three decades of voyages.

Chasseur: The inspiration for the Pride of Baltimore

[edit]
Main article: Chasseur (1812 clipper)

The Pride of Baltimore was built as an authentic reproduction of an early nineteenth-century "Baltimore clipper" topsail schooner.[2] It was not patterned after any particular vessel, but was rather designed as a typical "Baltimore Clipper" of the type in its heyday. It was indirectly named for the Baltimore-built topsail schooner Chasseur sailed by the privateer captain Thomas Boyle; Chasseur was known as the "Pride of Baltimore" and participated in the War of 1812 (1812–1815).[3]

One of the most famous of the American privateers, Boyle sailed Chasseur out of Baltimore's waterfront historic neighborhood of Fells Point, where she had been launched from Thomas Kemp's shipyard in 1812. On his first voyage as master of Chasseur in 1814, Boyle sailed east to the British Isles, where he harassed British merchant fleet and sent a notice to England by way of a captured merchant vessel declaring that the entire British Isles were under naval blockade by Chasseur alone as a way of demonstrating the folly of "paper blockades". The disruption caused by American privateers such as Chasseur led the British Admiralty to recall many warships of the Royal Navy back to the home waters from the Napoleonic Wars in Europe and more intense real blockade on the American east coast to guard merchant shipping in convoys. Chasseur captured or sank 17 vessels before returning home to Baltimore on 25 March 1815, three months after a peace treaty in Ghent, United Netherlands had been signed ending the War of 1812. Perhaps its most famous accomplishment was the capture of the schooner HMS St Lawrence.[3][4]

On the Chasseur's return to Baltimore, the national newspaper published in the city, Niles Weekly Register dubbed the vessel, her captain, and crew the "pride of Baltimore" for their achievement.[5]

After the end of the War of 1812, Chasseur was engaged in the China trade. Baltimore clippers were one of the types of clippers used to smuggle opium into China — a trade which was both illegal and highly lucrative.[6][7] Other Baltimore Clippers, made redundant by the end of the war and of limited cargo carrying capacity, became engaged in the slave trade from Africa.[8]

Pride of Baltimore

[edit]
History
United States
NamePride of Baltimore
OwnerCity of Baltimore
BuilderMelbourne Smith/International Historical Watercraft Society
Laid downApril 1976
Launched27 February 1977
Commissioned1 May 1977
HomeportBaltimore, Maryland
FateSunk, 14 May 1986
General characteristics
TypeTopsail schooner
Displacement129 long tons (131 t)
Length
  • 90 ft (27 m) on deck
  • 79 ft (24 m) w/l
Beam23 ft (7.0 m)
Draft9 ft 9 in (2.97 m)
Sail plan9,327 sq ft (866.5 m2) sail area
Crew12

Baltimore revival

[edit]

The old municipal piers 1 through 6 along East Pratt Street around the north shore of the former "Basin" of the Northwest Branch of the Patapsco River, now rechristened "Inner Harbor" had been cleared in 1971 of their warehouses and buildings and rebuilt and by 1974, a new Pier 1, renamed "Constellation Dock" was constructed providing a new centerpiece home for the ancient warship sloop-of-war USS Constellation of 1854 to be moored and anchored for future visitors. A brick sidewalk promenade was built around the water's edge on the new extended bulkheads on the west shores along rerouted and rebuilt Light and South Calvert Streets, and the south shore below landmark Federal Hill Park, and running down the sides of the Pratt Street Piers 1–6.[citation needed]

Construction and service

[edit]

In 1975, the City of Baltimore adopted a proposal from Charles Center-Inner Harbor Management for the construction of a replica sailing vessel as a centerpiece of the redevelopment of its Inner Harbor. The city requested proposals for "an authentic example of an historic Baltimore Clipper" to be designed and built using "construction materials, methods, tools, and procedures... typical of the period."[2][9]

A topsail schooner design by Thomas Gillmer was chosen, and master shipwright Melbourne Smith oversaw the construction of the vessel next to the Maryland Science Center on the western shoreline of the Inner Harbor (the historic former "Basin" of the Northwest Branch of the Patapsco River / Baltimore Harbor and Port). During construction, residents and visitors/tourists could watch the craftsmen working with tools and techniques of two centuries earlier. Congresswoman Barbara Mikulski of Baltimore, (who grew up in Fells Point, the nearby waterfront neighborhood where many Baltimore clippers were built 180 years earlier), performed the launching ceremonies on 27 February 1977, only 10 months after the start of construction. Mayor William Donald Schaefer commissioned the Pride of Baltimore on behalf of the citizens of the city of Baltimore and the state of Maryland, two months later on 1 May 1977.[9]

The Pride sailed over 150,000 nautical miles (280,000 km) during its nine years of service, visiting ports along the Eastern Seaboard from Newfoundland to the Florida Keys, the Great Lakes of North America, the Caribbean Sea and the West Coast along the Pacific Ocean from Mexico to British Columbia in Canada. Itvisited European ports across the Atlantic Ocean in the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.[9]

Sinking

[edit]

On 14 May 1986, a microburst squall, possibly a white squall, struck the Pride while it was returning from the Caribbean, 250 nautical miles (463 km) north of Puerto Rico. Winds of 80 knots (150 km/h; 92 mph) hit the vessel, capsizing and sinking it. Its captain and three crew died; the remaining eight crewmembers floated in a partially inflated life-raft for four days and seven hours with little food or water until the Norwegian tanker Toro came upon them and rescued them.[2][5][10]

A memorial on Rash Field in Baltimore's Inner Harbor memorializes the Pride's captain, Armin Elsaesser 42, and crewmembers Vincent Lazarro, 27, engineer; Barry Duckworth, 29, carpenter; and Nina Schack, 23, seaman.[2]

Pride of Baltimore II

[edit]
Pride of Baltimore II
Pride of Baltimore II photographed in September 2008
History
United States
NamePride of Baltimore II
OwnerPride of Baltimore, Inc.
OperatorPride of Baltimore, Inc.
Port of registryU.S.A.
BuilderG. Peter Boudreau
Launched30 April 1988
Commissioned23 October 1988
Maiden voyage23 October 1988
HomeportBaltimore, Maryland
IdentificationMMSI number: 303615000
Nickname(s)"America's Star-Spangled Ambassador"
General characteristics
TypeTopsail schooner
Length
  • 100 ft (30 m) on deck
  • 157 ft (48 m) sparred length
Beam26 ft 4 in (8.03 m)
Height107 ft (33 m)
Draft12 ft 6 in (3.81 m)
Propulsiontwo 160 horsepower diesel
Sail plan9,018 sq ft (837.8 m2) sail area
SpeedUp to 13 knots
Crew12

Origins

[edit]

Construction and service

[edit]

Like the original Pride, the Pride II is not a replica of a specific vessel, and, although it represents a type of vessel known as a "Baltimore Clipper", it was built to contemporary standards for seaworthiness and comfort. Like its predecessor, it is a topsail schooner. Built in the iconic "Baltimore Clipper" style, Pride II has heavily raked masts, and has 10 sails, she carries two large gaff sails (one on a boom and one loose-footed), a main gaff topsail, three headsails, and a square topsail and flying topgallant on the foremast. Also rare on modern traditional sailing vessels, it flies studding sails (stun's'ls), additional sails set along the edge of the square topsail and the gaff mainsail on temporary spars known as stun's'l booms.[9] Pride II also carries a very unusual sail known as a ring-tail, set like a studding sail off the main boom and main gaff.

Over two decades later in its storied career, on 5 September 2005, the Pride of Baltimore II suffered a complete dismasting while sailing in a squall in the Bay of Biscay off the western coast of France. The ship returned to port under motor power for repairs and spent over four months rebuilding the rig in St. Nazaire, France.[11]

Until 2010, the Pride of Baltimore II was owned by the citizens of the state of Maryland and operated by Pride of Baltimore, Inc., a private, nonprofit organization. Ownership was transferred to the ship's nonprofit operator with unanimous approval by Maryland's state governmental Board of Public Works on 9 June 2010.[12]

See also

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References

[edit]

Other sources

[edit]
  • American Sail Training Association (2005). Sail Tall Ships! (16th ed.). American Sail Training Association. ISBN 0-9636483-9-X.
  • Parrott, Daniel S. (2002). Tall Ships Down. International Marine Publishing. ISBN 0-07-139092-8.
  • Pease, Greg (1990). Sailing With Pride. C. A. Baumgartner Publishing. ISBN 0-9626299-0-1.
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Pride of Baltimore

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Pride of Baltimore is a topsail and its successor vessel that embody the maritime heritage of , , serving as educational and goodwill ambassadors for the state. The original Pride of Baltimore, launched in 1977 as the first such clipper built in over a century, was a fully operational of early 19th-century vessels used during the , designed to promote 's revitalization and historical legacy. Tragically, it sank on May 14, 1986, during a microburst storm north of , resulting in the loss of the captain and three crew members after sailing 150,000 nautical miles and visiting ports worldwide. In response to public mourning and support, Pride of Baltimore II was constructed as a sailing memorial, launched on April 30, 1988, and commissioned on October 23, 1988, with funding from insurance proceeds, state grants, and private donations totaling around $4 million. This larger, safer iteration features modern enhancements like six watertight bulkheads and auxiliary diesel engines while retaining the authentic topsail schooner design inspired by 1812-era clippers such as the Chasseur. With a sparred length of 157 feet (48 meters), a length overall of 105 feet (32 meters), a beam of 26 feet 4 inches (8 meters), a draft of 12 feet 6 inches (3.8 meters), and a sail area of 9,018 square feet, Pride II is constructed from durable Central American hardwoods and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard as a passenger vessel for up to 32 guests on sailing charters and 100 for dockside events (as of 2023). Operated by Pride of Baltimore, Inc., a , the vessel's mission focuses on advancing historical maritime , stimulating through , and fostering international goodwill by representing in ports around the world. Over its 35-plus years, Pride II has logged more than 275,000 nautical miles, visited over 200 ports in 40 countries, and welcomed over 100,000 visitors annually through deck tours, day sails, educational programs, and charters that connect participants to Chesapeake Bay's privateering and working waterfront traditions. Notable voyages include its maiden in 1989 and participation in major events like the 2025 Sailabration in , underscoring its role in preserving and promoting America's seafaring past.

Historical Background

Baltimore Clipper Tradition

The Baltimore clipper was a type of fast-sailing schooner developed in the United States, characterized by its sharp, V-shaped hull with a heart-shaped midsection, short keel, and raking stern, which allowed for exceptional speed and maneuverability. These vessels typically measured 90 to 120 feet in length, featured low freeboard, black-painted hulls without figureheads, and a topsail schooner rig with fore-and-aft gaff sails on tall, raked masts positioned farther aft for optimal sail efficiency. Designed primarily for privateering, smuggling, and coastal trade, their slender lines and generous sail area minimized water resistance, enabling them to outrun larger warships. These ships emerged in the late from the shipyards of 's Fells Point neighborhood, drawing influences from European designs such as Dutch fluyt and French luggers, as well as earlier colonial schooners. Their development accelerated during the , when the need for vessels capable of evading British blockades led to their widespread use as privateers for and coastal defense; Baltimore-issued letters of marque equipped over 122 such schooners, which collectively captured or sank more than 500 British vessels. This era marked the peak of the Baltimore clipper's prominence, as their speed rendered naval blockades largely ineffective. The tradition fueled Baltimore's economic growth in the early , transforming the city into a major maritime hub through a booming industry that employed thousands of workers in Fells Point yards. Post-war, these vessels supported lucrative trade routes, including opium smuggling to and extended voyages to Asian markets, capitalizing on their speed to navigate restrictive ports and evade patrols, though their limited cargo capacity constrained long-term profitability. By the 1830s, evolving trade demands and the rise of larger ships began to eclipse the Baltimore type, but its innovations in hull design and rigging influenced subsequent . Notable examples include the Ann McKim, launched in 1833 as one of the earliest large-scale s at 143 feet, which demonstrated the type's potential for transoceanic speed in the China trade and set precedents for extreme clipper hull forms. Similarly, the Comet, a 100-foot from 1810, exemplified wartime prowess by capturing 20 British prizes in five months during the , highlighting the class's effectiveness in privateering operations. Modern replicas, such as the Pride of Baltimore, serve as homages to this maritime legacy, preserving the clipper's design principles for educational and ceremonial purposes.

Chasseur as Inspiration

The schooner was constructed in 1812 by renowned Baltimore shipbuilder Thomas Kemp at his yard in Fells Point, a hub of maritime innovation during the early . Launched on December 12, 1812, she measured approximately 102 feet on deck, with a keel length of 85.66 feet and a beam of 26 feet, displacing around 296 tons; she was initially fitted as a merchant vessel but quickly adapted for privateering, arming her with 14 to 16 twelve-pounder guns and accommodating a crew of up to 102 men. Kemp, who retained a partial ownership stake, built for merchants William Hollins and Michael McBlair, incorporating the sleek lines characteristic of the class—sharp bows and raked masts that emphasized speed over cargo capacity. During the , emerged as one of the most effective American privateers, initially commanded by Captain William Wade in 1813 before Thomas Boyle assumed command in 1814. Under Boyle, she conducted daring cruises in the Atlantic and , capturing or destroying 18 vessels in a single 1814 voyage, including the British brig HMS St. Lawrence after a fierce 15-minute engagement in which Chasseur's superior armament and crew prevailed despite being closely matched in size. Her boldest exploit came in July 1814, when Boyle sailed into the and proclaimed a single-ship of the , posting the declaration on a captured fishing boat to sow panic among British merchants; this audacious act, combined with her relentless harassment of convoys, earned Chasseur the nickname "Pride of Baltimore" or "Baltimore Bee" in contemporary accounts. By war's end, she had accounted for at least 23 prizes overall, contributing significantly to the disruption of British commerce and bolstering American morale. Following the war's conclusion, returned triumphantly to Baltimore on March 25, 1815, where she was celebrated in the Niles' Weekly Register as a symbol of maritime prowess. Repurposed as a merchant vessel, she embarked on a record-setting voyage to Canton, , in May 1815, returning in 1816 after a swift passage that held the speed record from Canton to the Capes for 16 years. Sold later that year to Spanish naval agents and renamed Cazador, she entered service supporting South American independence movements, including combat actions against Colombian forces as witnessed by former U.S. officers; her subsequent fate remains obscure after these operations, with no verified records of involvement in the opium trade or a wreck off in 1873. The legacy of Chasseur profoundly shaped the design of the modern replica schooner Pride of Baltimore, launched in 1977 as the first Baltimore clipper built in over 150 years. Naval architect Thomas Gillmer, a professor at the U.S. Naval Academy, drew directly from Chasseur's historical lines and features to create an authentic topsail schooner, replicating the sharp, raked bow for hydrodynamic efficiency, steeply angled masts (raked at 17 degrees) for optimal sail balance, and the overall schooner rig. These elements not only honored Chasseur's aesthetic and performance hallmarks—emphasizing agility and visual elegance over heavy armament—but also served the Pride's role as a sailing ambassador, evoking the clipper tradition while incorporating modern safety adaptations like a diesel auxiliary engine. Gillmer's plans ensured the vessel captured the essence of Chasseur as a "proud" emblem of Baltimore's shipbuilding heritage, directly linking the 19th-century privateer to contemporary maritime education and goodwill voyages.

Original Pride of Baltimore

Conception and Construction

In 1975, amid efforts to revitalize Baltimore's , urban planner Robert Embry proposed constructing a ship as a symbol of the city's maritime heritage and resurgence, a plan quickly endorsed by Mayor and adopted by the City Council. This initiative marked the first such vessel built in over 150 years, intended to serve as a floating representing and the state of , drawing on the legacy of swift schooners from the era. Naval architect Thomas Gillmer developed the design, basing it on historical lines of 1812-era like the Chasseur, while master shipwright Melbourne Smith, founder of the International Historical Watercraft Society, led the using traditional hand tools and methods to ensure authenticity. Work began in May 1976 with the in an open-air on the Inner Harbor's west shore, adjacent to the Maryland Science Center, where the hull was crafted from durable hardwoods including ancient Cortez fir from . The project, funded primarily by the with support from private donations, totaled approximately $475,000. The ship, a topsail measuring approximately 90 feet (27 m) on deck with 10 sails totaling 9,327 square feet (866 m²) of canvas, was launched on February 27, 1977, by a massive crane from the shipyard, an event attended by Congresswoman who christened the vessel. To balance historical fidelity with practical seaworthiness, the design incorporated a modern 85-horsepower diesel auxiliary engine for maneuvering in harbors and adverse conditions, though it lacked advanced safety features like watertight bulkheads. Mayor Schaefer formally commissioned the Pride of Baltimore on May 1, 1977, during a ceremony that highlighted its role in fostering civic pride and maritime education.

Service and Voyages

Following its commissioning on May 1, 1977, in Baltimore's , the original Pride of Baltimore embarked on its maiden voyage later that year, sailing to , New York, and , marking the beginning of an active operational life dedicated to maritime and education. Over the subsequent nine years, the vessel undertook extensive voyages, visiting ports across —including the Eastern Seaboard from Newfoundland to the , the , the , the , and the West Coast as far north as —as well as a major European tour in 1985–1986, navigating the , , , , and Mediterranean. In total, these journeys covered more than 150,000 nautical miles, equivalent to circumnavigating the globe six times. As a for the City of and the State of , the Pride of Baltimore symbolized the region's rich maritime heritage, inspired by the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial celebrations that motivated its construction. Operated by the nonprofit , Inc., the ship hosted dignitaries, school groups, and international visitors at key ports such as , and New York, fostering public engagement with American sailing history and extending diplomatic goodwill abroad. Notable transatlantic crossings highlighted its seaworthiness, allowing it to participate in international events and promote cross-cultural exchanges. The vessel was crewed entirely by volunteers, typically numbering around 40 including trainees, who emphasized hands-on sail training and public education programs during voyages. This all-volunteer model supported the ship's mission to revive traditional skills, with crew members rotating through roles that included , , and guest instruction, contributing to its reputation as a floating classroom. Throughout its service, the Pride of Baltimore encountered routine challenges, such as periodic repairs to maintain its authentic wooden , but these were addressed effectively, reinforcing its status as an enduring emblem of Baltimore's ship legacy without significant disruptions.

Sinking in 1986

On May 14, 1986, the original Pride of Baltimore sank approximately 250 miles north of while returning from a successful promotional tour of . The vessel was struck by a sudden microburst , a rare weather event involving a rapid downdraft of air that produced hurricane-force winds estimated at around 80 knots. The ship, sailing under full sail in moderate conditions prior to the squall, heeled over dramatically within seconds, flooded rapidly due to its open-deck , and sank in about two minutes. Of the 12 crew members aboard, four perished in the disaster, including Captain E. Elsaesser III, engineer Barry Duckworth, deckhand Vincent C. Lazzaro, and steward Jeanette F. "Nina" Schack. The survivors—eight in total—were hurled into the sea and clung to a partially deflated life that eventually inflated enough to support them. They drifted for nearly five days, rationing limited supplies of water and sea biscuits, before being spotted and rescued by the Norwegian tanker MV Toro on May 19. The four who died were last seen waving from the ship's masts as it went down. The (NTSB), in collaboration with the U.S. , investigated the incident and concluded that the was a "freak weather" event—a microburst that overwhelmed the vessel's stability limits—rather than any operator error or . However, the report highlighted design vulnerabilities of the replica, including a low angle of vanishing stability (around 76 degrees, compared to over 120 degrees for more stable vessels), the absence of lifelines on deck, and a lack of watertight bulkheads, which allowed rapid flooding. These findings, building on a 1984 Guard-commissioned stability study, prompted broader reforms for tall ships, including enhanced stability requirements and equipment mandates for historical replicas. The wreckage of the Pride of Baltimore was never recovered, resting in over 17,000 feet of water, underscoring the inherent risks of operating historical vessel replicas in open ocean conditions. In , a permanent featuring a raked mast and the names of the lost crew carved in pink granite was erected on Rash Field (now part of a reimagined park) to honor the ship and its crew. Annual commemorations, such as the 20th anniversary service in 2006 and the 30th anniversary gathering at in 2016, continue to mark the tragedy, restoration began with downrigging in May 2025, with rededication planned for the 40th anniversary in 2026.

Pride of Baltimore II

Development and Construction

Following the sinking of the original Pride of Baltimore in May 1986, which claimed four lives and highlighted stability concerns in traditional designs, Pride of Baltimore, Inc. initiated fundraising efforts in late summer 1986 to build a successor vessel as a memorial and goodwill ambassador for . The project drew widespread public support, with contributions from private citizens, students, corporations, and foundations totaling over $2.5 million, supplemented by nearly $500,000 in insurance proceeds from the original ship and a $1 million state grant from , bringing the total cost to more than $4 million. Construction began with the keel laying on May 3, 1987, in an open-air shipyard in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, under the direction of master shipwright G. Peter Boudreau, who had previously served as a builder and captain of the original vessel, and naval architect Thomas Gillmer as supervising designer. The hull was crafted using durable Central American hardwoods sourced from Belize, shaped with modern power tools for efficiency while preserving authentic woodworking techniques, though deviating from purely traditional methods to enhance longevity. At 109 feet long overall with a beam of 26 feet 2 inches, the ship featured a gaff-rigged topsail schooner configuration based on the historic lines of the Chasseur, including ten sails such as fore and main gaff sails, a square fore topsail, and studding sails for light-wind performance. In response to U.S. Coast Guard recommendations stemming from the incident, the design incorporated significant safety enhancements for stability and under Subchapter T regulations, including 40 tons of internal lead , an additional 20 tons of external bolted to the bottom, six watertight bulkheads (three with doors), and lifelines along the decks. These modifications addressed the original's vulnerabilities to sudden gusts, while adding modern navigation aids like GPS, satellite communication, and a for enhanced situational awareness without compromising the clipper's aesthetic raked masts and sharp hull lines. Twin diesel engines provided for an 8-knot motoring speed and 1,200-nautical-mile range, doubling the original's capabilities. Pride of Baltimore II was launched on April 30, 1988, and officially commissioned on October 23, 1988, in , ready to carry a larger of up to 48, including professional mariners and sail trainees, across three passenger cabins amidships for six guests alongside bunks for the working . This expanded capacity supported educational voyages while maintaining the vessel's role in promoting Maryland's maritime heritage.

Operational History

Pride of Baltimore II commenced operations shortly after her commissioning on October 23, 1988, at Brown's Wharf in . Her maiden voyage that fall spanned over 8,000 nautical miles along the U.S. East Coast and Gulf, including a notable stop in , marking the beginning of her role as Maryland's sailing ambassador. Early international voyages followed, with the vessel crossing the Atlantic to as part of goodwill tours that showcased American maritime heritage; by 1991, she had already logged 30,000 miles on such expeditions. The schooner actively participated in major tall ship gatherings, including Operation Sail events that celebrated naval history and international cooperation, such as the 1992 commemoration of Christopher Columbus's quincentenary. By 2010, Pride of Baltimore II had visited more than 200 ports across 40 countries in North, South, and , , and , while sailing nearly 200,000 nautical miles. These journeys highlighted her function in promoting , , and educational outreach, often representing the state of at festivals like the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race and various Tall Ships Challenges. A significant incident occurred on September 5, 2005, when the vessel was dismasted during a squall in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of France while en route from Torquay, United Kingdom, to Santander, Spain. The crew safely managed the collapse of the 100-foot masts and rigging, with no injuries among the 18 passengers and trainees aboard, and the ship motored to Lorient, France, for extensive repairs over four months before resuming operations. Additional maintenance efforts included hull repairs in Baltimore during periods of routine upkeep, ensuring her continued seaworthiness for global voyages. Key milestones in her service include the transfer of ownership from the State of to the nonprofit Pride of Baltimore, Inc., in 2010, which solidified her operations under a dedicated educational and charitable framework. The organization expanded crew training programs, offering hands-on experiences for youth and adults to learn skills and aboard the vessel. Pride of Baltimore II also anchored local events like Sailabration festivals in , blending nautical demonstrations with community celebrations of traditions. Through the early 2020s, the continued her international goodwill tours, accumulating a total of 275,000 nautical miles by 2023 and welcoming tens of thousands of visitors annually to foster appreciation for Baltimore's ship legacy.

Current Role and Legacy

As of 2025, Pride of Baltimore II remains an active for , engaging in a vibrant season that includes visits to in late October and Chestertown to conclude its activities before winter layup. The vessel participated in key events such as the second annual Sailabration festival on September 27, 2025, at Baltimore's Fell's Point Broadway Pier, celebrating maritime traditions through and public engagement from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Homecoming sails marked the end of the season, with the ship returning to its berth after multi-month voyages. Positioned as Maryland's Star-Spangled , Pride of Baltimore II is set to play a central role in America250 commemorations throughout 2026, highlighting the War of 1812's legacy and Baltimore's maritime contributions to U.S. independence. In its educational and promotional capacity, Pride of Baltimore II delivers maritime history programs tailored for schools, including grant-funded sails that immerse students in 19th-century sailing techniques and Maryland's privateering heritage. Public deck tours and day sails allow visitors to explore the vessel's decks, interact with the captain and crew, and learn about design, fostering appreciation for regional history. These initiatives promote Baltimore tourism by drawing crowds to the and other ports, while emphasizing Maryland's as a hub of and commerce. Volunteer opportunities as guest crew enable participants to assist with sails between ports, building hands-on skills and community involvement. The ship endures as a profound symbol of resilience following the 1986 sinking of its predecessor, serving as a that honors the original crew through integrated tributes in its operations and public narratives. Since its 1988 launch, Pride of Baltimore II has logged over 275,000 nautical miles and visited more than 200 ports across 40 countries, establishing it as a benchmark for authentic replicas that inspire contemporary maritime preservation efforts. Past challenges, such as the 2005 dismasting, have informed enhanced safety protocols that underscore its ongoing durability. Looking ahead, Pride of Baltimore II is slated for continued international and domestic voyages into 2026, with a focus on America250 events that prioritize youth engagement through educational sails and partnerships like those with the Baltimore County Sailing Center to teach to students of color. These plans also emphasize in operations, aligning with broader maritime goals to promote on the and beyond.

References

  1. https://pride2.org/about/
  2. https://pride2.org/pride-of-baltimore-ii/original-pride-of-baltimore/
  3. https://pride2.org/pride-of-baltimore-ii/history-of-pride/
  4. https://pride2.org/pride-of-baltimore-ii/comparing-the-two-ships/
  5. https://tallshipsamerica.org/vessels/pride-of-baltimore-ii/
  6. https://pride2.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrideofBaltimoreCharterFAQ.pdf
  7. https://www.nps.gov/places/pride-of-baltimore-ii.htm
  8. https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/stagser/s1259/121/6771/html/essay95.html
  9. https://www.americanantiquarian.org/proceedings/44806834.pdf
  10. http://www.hsobc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/htv044n4.pdf
  11. https://pride2.org/education/privateer-history/
  12. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/business-history-review/article/american-merchants-and-the-china-opium-trade-18001840/CAF870083D191F963CA77113B11320A3
  13. https://www.chasseurbaltimore.com/about-us
  14. http://www.cindyvallar.com/chasseur.html
  15. https://pride2.org/a-third-great-grandfathers-shipbuilding-legacy-2/
  16. https://snr.org.uk/chasseur-pride-baltimore/
  17. https://pride2.org/original-pride-of-baltimore/
  18. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1977/09/08/baltimores-pride/3808ef4d-d252-4df8-8be4-86620fae6f1a/
  19. https://www.baltimoresun.com/2018/03/09/william-melbourne-smith-the-spirit-behind-the-original-pride-of-baltimore-who-led-a-wave-of-historical-shipbuilding-dies/
  20. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/407050617/
  21. https://pride2.org/about/captains-crew/
  22. https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/20/nyregion/schooner-due-in-new-york-july-4-sinks-4-missing.html
  23. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1986/05/28/pride-sinking-linked-to-wind-microburst/62861b18-6e8a-45b8-92f1-5c19e8966fac/
  24. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1986/06/07/study-two-years-ago-found-pride-of-baltimore-unstable/bf7db7af-bd74-4656-be2e-d0282ea26630/
  25. https://pride2.org/pride-memorial/
  26. https://www.npr.org/2004/07/10/3263003/the-saga-of-the-pride-of-baltimore
  27. https://ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/dashboard/searchResults/titleDetail/PB87916401.xhtml
  28. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/06/07/A-Coast-Guard-report-conducted-two-years-ago-questioned/5499518500800/
  29. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-08-mn-3663-story.html
  30. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/30501/memorial-service-set-for-pride-of-baltimore-crew/
  31. https://www.baltimoresun.com/2016/05/14/pride-of-baltimores-1986-sinking-recalled-at-fort-mchenry-ceremony/
  32. https://pride2.org/pride-of-baltimore-ii/
  33. https://pride2.org/building-pride-of-baltimore-ii-wood-procurement-trip/
  34. https://www.spinsheet.com/news/35th-anniversary-pride-baltimore-ii
  35. https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/12/02/pride-ii-is-home-after-30000-miles/
  36. https://www.sail-world.com/-111539/
  37. https://www.baltimoresun.com/2010/04/21/state-wants-to-give-ship-to-nonprofit-2/
  38. https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/bay-city/2010/07/bay_city_tall_ships_2010_meet_9.html
  39. https://cnsmaryland.org/2005/09/06/pride-ii-dismasted-off-french-coast/
  40. https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/news/gone-by-the-board-25451
  41. https://www.baltimoresun.com/2010/06/09/state-transfers-pride-of-baltimore-ii-2/
  42. https://pride2.org/education/stemh-education-program/
  43. https://pride2.org/event/sailabration-2025/
  44. https://cambridgespy.org/2025/10/28/pride-of-baltimore-ii-calls-at-cambridge/
  45. https://www.facebook.com/prideII/videos/fall-sailing-on-the-chesapeake-bay/1173331208049753/
  46. https://baltimore.org/event/pride-of-baltimore-ii-2nd-annual-sailabration/
  47. https://pride2.org/come-aboard/
  48. https://pride2.org/america-250/
  49. https://pride2.org/education/
  50. https://pride2.org/come-aboard/deck-tours-day-sails/
  51. https://pride2.org/
  52. https://pride2.org/come-aboard/guest-crew/
  53. https://www.visitmaryland.org/listing/attraction/pride-baltimore-ii
  54. https://sailtraininginternational.org/vessel/pride-of-baltimore-ii/
  55. https://sailmagazine.com/boats/disaster-aboard-the-pride-of-baltimore-ii/
  56. https://www.bcsailing.org/general-1
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