During
the 1790's Maryland led the nation in shipbuilding and Baltimore was the
undisputed leader on the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore Clippers, built for speed
at a time when it was essential for survival, won the respect of the nautical
world. Baltimore became a center of maritime commerce and the home of some of
the most creative shipbuilding.
The design of the clippers emerged from the shipyards of Fells Point in
response to the need for fast ships that could elude the British naval
vessels that continued to prey upon American ships after the War for Independence. Baltimore Clippers were "sharp built". They had a V-shaped hull,
allowing them to cut through waves. They were very fast, but had little cargo
space (which eventually led to their decline). They were gaff-rigged
schooners, although many had a square sail for driving power on the mast.
These small fast ships were developed in the northern Chesapeake as
foretopsail schooners, which carried 8 to 10 guns.
4- SHEET PLAN
1/48
SCALE
38”
LONG
PKR –
006-A
PRICE:
$ 35.00
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Baltimore
Clippers gained wide respect in the War of 1812. Sleek, daring,
"privateers" were the life blood of the fledgling American nation
during the War of 1812 as it fought for its freedom against the largest
armada of fighting ships ever assembled.
In 1974 Baltimore city officials decided to build a replica of a 19th century
clipper to serve as a goodwill ambassador for the city. The ship, named Pride
of Baltimore was launched at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on February 27, 1977.
The name captures the spirit of the phoenix-like town. She sailed over
150,000 nautical miles in nine years before she was struck by a freak squall
and tragically sunk off the coast of Puerto Rico on May 14, 1986.
The city commissioned a larger sister-ship as a sailing memorial to her
predecessor, the original Pride. The Pride of Baltimore II was launched on
April 30, 1989. She is a reproduction Baltimore Clipper and sails the seas of
the world as the Goodwill Ambassador from the State of Maryland and the Port of Baltimore.
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