Sailing ships passing under Francis Scott Key Bridge
To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the writing of Francis Scott Key's poem, The Star-Spangled Banner, as he watched the British bombard Fort McHenry in September 1814, Baltimore launched the Star-Spangled Sailabration this month. More than 40 tall ships (tall-masted sailing ships) and and naval vessels from around the world were here from June 13th through June 19th. During their visit, they offered free tours to the public and thousands of visitors went on board. The festivities also included the first-ever air show over Baltimore, which featured the Navy Blue Angels.
On June 19, 2012 the tall ships left Baltimore, passing by historic Fort McHenry, maneuvering under the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and putting out to sea enroute to their next port of call in Boston. Sister Lindsay and I (along with thousands of other people) watched them leave under sail . . . an impressive and unusal sight, with ships' bands playing on deck and sailors singing and and even dancing in the rigging.
As we watched these magnificent ships pass by in procession, it was interesting to reflect on how different it must have been some 200 years ago when there were far fewer choices regarding how people and goods were transported to distant places. In 1812, there were no airplanes, trains, automobiles, or trucks. Instead, you could walk, ride a horse or sit in a wagon or carriage pulled by animals, or go by ship. And it wasn't possible to call ahead electronically for reservations or check the status of your ship's expected arrival on the internet either. Your trip from Baltimore to London would take weeks rather than hours. And by the way, your accommodations below deck and the food would not resemble in any way the cruise ship standards of today.
On June 19, 2012 the tall ships left Baltimore, passing by historic Fort McHenry, maneuvering under the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and putting out to sea enroute to their next port of call in Boston. Sister Lindsay and I (along with thousands of other people) watched them leave under sail . . . an impressive and unusal sight, with ships' bands playing on deck and sailors singing and and even dancing in the rigging.
Sailors on Ecuador's tall ship, BAE Guayas
As we watched these magnificent ships pass by in procession, it was interesting to reflect on how different it must have been some 200 years ago when there were far fewer choices regarding how people and goods were transported to distant places. In 1812, there were no airplanes, trains, automobiles, or trucks. Instead, you could walk, ride a horse or sit in a wagon or carriage pulled by animals, or go by ship. And it wasn't possible to call ahead electronically for reservations or check the status of your ship's expected arrival on the internet either. Your trip from Baltimore to London would take weeks rather than hours. And by the way, your accommodations below deck and the food would not resemble in any way the cruise ship standards of today.
THE SHIP THAT SAILS
Unknown Author
I’d rather be the ship that sails
And rides the billows wild and free;
Than to be the ship that always fails
To leave its port and go to sea.
And rides the billows wild and free;
Than to be the ship that always fails
To leave its port and go to sea.
I’d rather feel the sting of strife,
Where gales are born and tempests roar;
Than to settle down to useless life
And rot in dry dock on the shore.
Where gales are born and tempests roar;
Than to settle down to useless life
And rot in dry dock on the shore.
I’d rather fight some mighty wave
With honor in supreme command;
And fill at last a well-earned grave,
Than die in ease upon the sand.
With honor in supreme command;
And fill at last a well-earned grave,
Than die in ease upon the sand.
I’d rather drive where sea storms blow,
And be the ship that always failed
To make the ports where it would go,
Than be the ship that never sailed.
And be the ship that always failed
To make the ports where it would go,
Than be the ship that never sailed.
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