Cloaked by the veil of the early morning darkness, The Pride of Baltimore II sailed down the Potomac River and cleared the underbelly of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge on Aug 20.
A 1988 replica of an 1812-era topsail schooner privateer ship, sailed from its’ Baltimore homeport, propelled by 10-knot winds.
It found a berthing space adjacent the starboard side of the USS Barry (DD933), a permanent public display ship at the Washington Navy Yard in southeast Washington, D.C.
“We passed under the Woodrow Wilson Bridge about 1 a.m. in the morning,” said First Mate Patrick Smith, a deck hand aboard the Baltimore Pride since March.
The purpose of the ships visit was to help commemorate the bicentennial of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” penned by Francis Scott Key at Fort McHenry during the 1814 Battle of Baltimore.
Smith noted that he enjoyed the trip to Washington, D.C. “The winds were pretty good coming down from Baltimore. We sailed down here at 10-knots, but some of the other veteran deck hands have witnessed our ship go as fast as 15-knots under sail.”
According to Smith the ships top speed by engine is 8-knots. “This ship is designed to sail faster without the engine,” said Smith.
According to Smith the ship is operated by a 12-man crew, which consists of cook, captain, chief mate, second mate, 7 deck hands, one of whom doubles as an engineer, and a boatswain mate. “Deck is a full time, seasonal position and I enjoy the travel,” said Smith.
The ship is scheduled to participate in the Star Spangled Spectacular, which highlights the bicentennial of The Battle of Baltimore in the fall.
“We’re here now to participate in the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Bladensburg that culminates events which led to the burning of the White House, U.S. Capitol and the Washington Navy Yard in 1814,” said Smith.
On Aug. 24, visitors where able to witness a cannon demonstration by the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard from the Washington Navy Yard’s Riverwalk area, near The Pride of Baltimore II, at 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
During its’ five-day visit, the captain and crew welcomed the general public and gave free tours of the historical vessel while docked at the Washington Navy Yard.