Walking along Thames Street in Baltimore’s Fell’s Point is like stepping back in time. As you stroll eastward from the Broadway City Pier, the iconic Baltimore Clipper, Pride of Baltimore II, gradually comes into view, its jibboom peeking out from behind the trees. This striking schooner sits proudly in its rightful place, the heart of Fell’s Point, the very birthplace of these legendary vessels over two centuries ago.
Fell’s Point’s development surged in the late 1700s, transforming it into the Chesapeake Bay’s premier shipbuilding and trading hub. The waterfront buzzed with activity as shipyards and canneries flourished, while inland, local shops catered to the bustling workforce. This historic district has fiercely preserved its character, with beautifully restored buildings once inhabited by notable figures, alongside historic shipyards and the charmingly uneven cobblestone streets that add to its unique ambiance.
Imagining life in the 18th and 19th centuries is effortless as you wander through Fell’s Point. Picture the lively scene: vendors calling out as they push carts laden with oysters and fresh produce, the rhythmic clang of hammers from the shipyards, and children in knee-high socks playfully rolling hoops with sticks. Of course, the harbor would have been filled with ships, a testament to the area’s maritime significance. Fell’s Point, while its demographics and businesses have evolved, retains a palpable sense of its vibrant past. For those drawn to historical aesthetics, like this non-native Baltimorean, these few square blocks offer an enchanting experience.
Recently, while performing maintenance on the main mast of Pride of Baltimore II docked at Ann Street and Thames Street, I was granted a unique bird’s-eye view of the area during a rain shower. Under a Dickensian grey sky, the gabled rooftops evoked a scene straight out of the 1800s. For a moment, lost in the atmosphere, the centuries melted away, transporting me back to that era. It was a powerful reminder that my role here extends beyond sailing this magnificent vessel; it’s about immersing myself in and celebrating Baltimore’s rich heritage. While sharing the history of these ships up and down the coast has been rewarding, witnessing this vista from Ann Street Wharf solidified my understanding of why this legacy is not only worth celebrating but also actively preserving.
This year, our work with Fort McHenry has been particularly meaningful. It’s the famed fort that bravely resisted the British Navy 198 years prior, a defense made possible by the audacity of Baltimore in building ships like ours and the courage of sailors who navigated them into harm’s way for both profit and patriotism. During a recent afternoon sail, we hosted volunteer historical interpreters specializing in Fort McHenry and the War of 1812. They possessed extensive knowledge of the fort and the war, but our expertise lay with the ships themselves. This was an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate why Baltimore Clippers achieved such renown, why America successfully resisted the British, and why the British forces didn’t proceed beyond Washington D.C. during the war.
Baltimore is incredibly fortunate to have played such a pivotal role in American history. To possess a dynamic and cosmopolitan area like Fell’s Point during a period of industrial and commercial expansion, and to have Fort McHenry standing as a symbol of resilience and independence, is a unique combination. America, too, is fortunate to have Baltimore. Imagine the drastically altered global landscape had privateers not succeeded during the War of 1812, and if the inspiring Star-Spangled Banner had never been penned. Now, consider a Baltimore without Pride II. This invaluable honor and heritage risked falling into obscurity. Even more profoundly, we would be deprived of the chance to sail aboard this incredible piece of living history.
