First the Pride of Baltimore, then the Pride of Baltimore II, have been iconic traveling landmarks, representing the “Baltimore clipper” ships from the 19th century, and their role in the War of 1812.
Pride of Baltimore’s bare hull being launched in 1977But the replica Pride of Baltimore, built in 1977, became a piece of Baltimore history herself, when she tragically sank off of Puerto Rico during a microburst squall in 1986. It is this ship’s history that will be the focus of a talk this Thursday evening, February 22.
Tom Waldron, author of Pride of the Sea: Courage, Disaster, & a Fight for Survival, will talk about the book that follows the Pride of Baltimore‘s powerful story, from the city’s decision to build a replica clipper, to its sinking and the rescue of its surviving crew members. Waldron covered much of the Pride’s history as a reporter for the Baltimore Sun. For the book, he weaves together extensive research and interviews with family and friends of the crew.
The talk will be held Thursday February 22, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pride of Baltimore office, 2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 330, in Baltimore. It costs $5 per person, or $15 person including an autographed copy of Waldron’s book. If you can’t make the talk, but are interested in buying the book, use this link on amazon.com and the Pride of Baltimore organization will receive a small commission from Amazon.
Pride of Baltimore, Inc. is in the midst of an aggressive fundraising effort after announcing earlier this month that it will have to keep the Pride II at her dock all season unless it can raise $500,000 in operating costs. Read more in Bay Bulletin.
