News release shown below on the pending arrival of the Pride of Baltimore II at Rowes Wharf Marina on Friday, June 29, 2012 at 12:00 pm. The privateer will be open to the public for dockside tours through July 4, 2012 and will participate in several events related to the Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812, including a mock sea battle with the Privateer Lynx in a “Duel of the Privateers.” Schedule and details below.
1812 PRIVATEER PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II SAILING IN FOR
OPSAIL BOSTON 2012
Sea Battles in Boston Harbor to Commemorate the Bicentennial of War of 1812
Pride of Baltimore II, the world-renowned topsail schooner privateer iconic of the War of 1812, has set sail for Boston, MA to participate in OpSail Boston 2012, commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 and the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Pride of Baltimore II is scheduled to make a grand arrival in Boston with sail sets on Friday, June 29 at 12:00 PM and will dock at the Marina at Rowes Wharf through Wednesday, July 4. Pride of Baltimore II will be open to the public for dockside deck tours on Saturday, June 30, Sunday July 1 and Wednesday, July 4. Those looking to experience Pride of Baltimore II under sail are invited to come aboard to view the Tall Ships arrival, participate in a “Duel of the Privateers” ( a battle reenactment sail), or witness the USS Constitution Turnaround and Blue Angels from the water. Tickets for sailing excursions are required and prices range from $35 to $125 each depending on the sailing event. View the complete sailing schedule and purchase tickets online www.pride2.org or call 888-557-7433 for more information.
OpSail Boston 2012 marks Pride II’s fourth OpSail event to date this season. It’s been an exciting two months; Pride II spent these last weeks sailing with U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Foreign Tall Ship vessels participating in the War of 1812 Bicentennial commemorations along the Eastern Seaboard. OpSail ports have included New York (NY), Norfolk (VA) and Baltimore(MD), the latter being Pride of Baltimore II’s home port and home of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. With her sleek hull and tall raking masts, Pride of Baltimore II is an iconic reminder of America’s rich maritime heritage.
Pride of Baltimore II will be open for public tours and sailing excursions around Boston Harbor; one of the few Tall Ships to offer the opportunity to experience her majestic beauty under sail. The public is also invited to come aboard for the “Duel of the Privateers”, a mock sea battle with the Privateer Lynx, a topsail schooner also representative of the 1812-era. Hear the ship’s deck guns roar and participate as these two privateers engage in battle maneuvers in an exciting reenactment of an early 19th century sea skirmish.
The 157-ft Pride of Baltimore II is a reproduction of an 1812-era Baltimore-built topsail schooner privateer; and is the world’s most renowned War of 1812 schooner privateer sailing in the 21st Century. She is historically evocative of the Privateer Chasseur, which defended America’s freedom during the War of 1812 by serving as an offensive weapon of war and blockade-runner, capturing or sinking 35 British vessels, and, on her return to Baltimore in 1815, was dubbed “the Pride of Baltimore” by The Niles Weekly Register. The British attacked Baltimore in 1814 in an attempt to destroy the Fells Point shipyards that built Chasseur and dozens of other Privateers. During the September 13, 1814 Battle of Baltimore, Francis Scott Key wrote the words that became our nation’s anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”. As the world’s most traveled historic schooner, PrideII sails globally promoting U.S. maritime history and serves as a unique learning platform for math, science and social studies programs.
Pride of Baltimore II Schedule ~ Boston, MA ~ June 29 to July 4
Rowes Wharf Marina
Friday, June 29
Arrival ~ Time TBD
Saturday, June 30
9:00 AM to 11:30 AM: View the Tall Ships Arrival Sail
Tickets: $65.00 – Children 12 & under $45.00
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM: Ship Tours (FREE/Donations)
Sunday, July 1
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM: Ship Tours (FREE/Donations)
2:00 PM to 4:30 PM: Duel of the Privateers/Battle Sail
Ticket: Adults – $75.00 / Children 12 & Under – $50.00
Monday, July 2 and Tuesday, July 2
10:30 AM to 1:00 PM: View the Tall Ships from the Water/Daysail
Ticket: Adults – $55.00 – Children 12 & Under – $35.00
2:00 PM to 4:30 PM: Duel of the Privateers/Battle Sail
Ticket: Adults – $75.00 / Children 12 & Under – $50.00
Wednesday, July 4th
10:30 AM to 1:30 PM: USS Constitution Turnaround Cruise Sail
Tickets: $125.00 Per Person
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM: Ship Tours (FREE/Donations)
Reservations are required for all sailing excursions; space is limited. Tickets may be purchased online at www.pride2.org or by calling 888-557-7433.
Private Charters and Dockside Receptions Available
Pride of Baltimore II is owned and operated by the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Pride of Baltimore, Inc. Pride II’s mission is contingent on private donations and funding. Pride II carries a complement of 12 professional crew members, both men and women, and can carry an additional six guest crew members on passages between all ports of call. For more information about the ship and the 2012 sailing schedule visit www.pride2.org.
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