Bicenntenial of the "Star Spangled Banner" this weekend in Baltimore

This is for all you War of 1812 fans and US members of course!! Celebrations starting tomorrow in Baltimore capped off by fireworks over Ft. McHenry Saturday night and flag raising early Sunday morning, timed to coincide with the event 200 years ago. :salute:

http://www.starspangled200.com/star-...d-spectacular/

Parade of sail including Pride of Baltimore and Lynx a replica 1812 privateer to the location of the British fleet where Francis Scott Key saw the flag still waving that morning.

I missed the Battle of North Point reenactment last week (We'll leave Blandensberg for the Brits on the forum!). I can't make it on Saturday, but I'll try to make the drive early Sunday to be there. Ft. McHenry opens at 7 AM. Maybe there is space left on one of the schooners sailing in the harbor!

For those of you not in the MD/DC/VA area PBS will be broadcasting a concert and the fireworks on Saturday night.

Wish I could be there. Thanks for the heads up on the broadcast.

https://navynews.co.uk/archive/news/item/11305

Argyll was one of my SINKEX shooters some years ago :)

I sounds like it will be quite an event. Enjoy yourself. Eric.

Eric, I hope you can make it on Sunday. What a wonderful experience it would be.

Looks like a great event, if you do make it, be sure to share some pics!

I made it down on Sunday to see the "Dawn's Early Light". Actually after the British fleet ceased fire, the garrison raised the larger flag at 9 AM September 14, 1814. A great event and the weather was also perfect. I got a ticket on the schooner Lynx a replica of a Baltimore privateer of 1812.

http://www.privateerlynx.com/

We set sail from an inner harbor dock at 7:30 and sailed out past Ft McHenry with the other tall ships acting as the British fleet. We had a nice breeze (about 10-12 knts) and tacked back and forth in front of the fort waiting for the ceremony and parade of sail past the fort. Luckily the captain was all about sailing and cut the engines and put up all sails (except stuns'ls). Just before 9 am the Fort and ships exchanged fire (Lynx carries 4 carronades and some swivels). The larger flag was raised followed by a 21 gun salute in the fort.

After we docked I walked up to Ft McHenry and got some photos there. Here is a brief sample. I did also take some video on my phone of the cannon fire and tacking maneuvers. You'll note a picture of a ship's boat under lateen rig in one of the shots with the crew in period clothes. Likely one of the smaller boats carried, a gig or launch maybe.

Eric

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Wow, super fun! :salute:

We were there in 2012, when they were just starting the bicentennial hoopla, and had a great visit to the fort. I remember they had the big flag out--can't remember if they were raising or lowering it--and its size was quite impressive. We also enjoyed touring the Constellation. But how much more fun to go sailing around and shooting guns...

Great pics, and, a beautiful ship, thank you for the link to her.

Great photos.:thumbsup: Wish I could have been there.


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I knew the British Navy had deteriorated somewhat over the years but did not things had got this bad!:happy:

Part of our new "green ship" initiative :happy:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by David Manley

Part of our new "green ship" initiative :happy:

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That's nothing -- guess what they've replaced the rum ration with:

http://www.socialstrategy1.com/wp-co...ne-300x224.jpg

>;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Coog

Great photos.:thumbsup: Wish I could have been there.


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I knew the British Navy had deteriorated somewhat over the years but did not things had got this bad!:happy:

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We tried upgrading to a rubber dinghy in the early naughties but couldnt afford a pump to inflate it.

For a reflection of RN funding try googleing the queens coronation RN regata, the size of the fleet then, as compared to almost any in the world now was stunning.

Excellent photos and recap of your day at the event. Thanks so much for posting them! :thumbsup: :salute: