Visit Pride of Baltimore II at Schooner Days in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia

PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II under full sail.

Whether making harbor in a new port of call half way around the world or returning home to her berth in the Inner Harbor, Pride of Baltimore II grabs attention! Whether blasting off her shipboard cannons or skimming majestically over the waves with all sails aloft, Pride II makes a proud statement about her sponsors and her colorful maritime history. As the Goodwill Ambassador of the State of Maryland and the Port of Baltimore, Pride II represents the business, tourism, and educational interests of the state with unmistakable flair and panache.

Schooner Pride of Baltimore II moored at Portsmouth, Virginia's seawall.

Pride of Baltimore II was commissioned in 1988 as a sailing memorial to her immediate predecessor, the original Pride of Baltimore, which was tragically sunk by a white squall off Puerto Rico in 1986, taking her captain and three crew members down with her. Both ships were built in the Inner Harbor as reproductions of 1812-era topsail schooners, the type of vessels, called Baltimore Clippers, that helped America win the War of 1812 and finally secure its freedom.

Specifications of Pride of Baltimore II

• Tonnage: 185.5 long tons
• Overall Length: 157' (47.85 m)
• Length on Deck: 96'6" (29.42 m)
• Beam: 26' (7.93 m)
• Draft: 12'4" (3.76 m)
• Launched: April 30, 1988
• Commissioned: October 23, 1988
• Naval Architect: Thomas C. Gillmer
• Master Builder: G. Peter Boudreau

Since her commissioning, Pride II has sailed nearly 200,000 miles, and visited over 200 ports in 40 countries in North, South, and Central America, Europe, and Asia. In 1998 she undertook her first voyage to Asia with port calls in China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. In 2000 she made her fourth trip to Europe capturing First Place in her Class in a Transatlantic Tall Ship race. With her sharply raked masts, her abundance of sail, and her sleek profile, Pride of Baltimore II captures the imagination and makes friends for Baltimore and Maryland wherever she goes. She is indeed a memorable Goodwill Ambassador.

Tops'l Schooner Pride of Baltimore II.  Photograph by Fred LeBlanc.

 You can visit the Pride of Baltimore II website by following the link here. PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II  Come and see the Pride during Schooner Days, October 15 and 16, 2010 in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia. See you there!