The Pride of Baltimore II will rendezvous with the French-built tall ship L’Hermione on June 19 to start a three-day visit in Baltimore. The ships will meet between Fort McHenry and the Key Bridge as Pride escorts L’Hermione to the Inner Harbor.
L’Hermione is a replica of the Marquis de Lafayette’s 18th-century ship, the Hermione, which sailed from France to America in 1780 with aid aboard to support America’s fight for independence from the British. It is considered the largest and most authentically built tall ship in the last 150 years, according to the website. It set sail from France in April and is traveling up the East Coast of the U.S. this summer.
The Pride II at the Key Bridge. By John Beatty“Lafayette’s incredible story underlies the strong bond the United States has with France,” says Rick Scott, Executive Director, Pride of Baltimore, Inc. “We are proud to participate in L’Hermione’s historic voyage and to welcome her with open arms to Baltimore, a city itself that is deeply rooted in American history.”
The event begins a three-day celebration featuring deck tours of both ships, public day sails exclusively on Pride and activities related to #OneBaltimore, an effort to rebuild communities in Baltimore.
Key Highlights of L’Hermione’s visit
- Friday, June 19 from 7-8:30 a.m.: The historic rendezvous between Pride and L’Hermione.
- Friday, June 19 at 10 a.m.: Welcome Ceremony Featuring French & American Dignitaries.
- Friday, June 19 from 2-4 p.m.: Musicians aboard Pride during her public sail, including composer and BSO bassist Jonathan Jensen, who will perform his original piece, “Pride Shanty,” and other sailing songs.
- Saturday, June 20 from 9-11:30 a.m.: Nearly one hundred school children affected by the recent unrest in Baltimore, including Sandtown and other neighborhoods, will tour L’Hermione and Pride in an effort related to #OneBaltimore.
Pride Meets L’Hermione: Best Vantage Points
At 7 a.m. on June 19, the ships will meet in the Inner Harbor near the Key Bridge and Fort McHenry. Pride will then escort L’Hermione to the Inner Harbor. There will be a salute from Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine at 7:30 a.m. as the ships enter the Harbor.
The best vantage points to see the ships under sail as they enter the Inner Harbor will be from:
- Broadway Pier in Fells Point (900 S. Broadway)
- Tide Point (1040 Hull St.,)
- Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, opening at 6:30 a.m. that day (2400 East Fort Ave)
Other vantage points to consider include: The Canton Waterfront Park, The Promenade, Federal Hill and The Baltimore Museum of Industry.
Schedule of Events for L’Hermione visit
Friday, June 19, 2015
- 10 a.m.-noon Welcome Ceremony with French and American officials
L’Hermione makes landfall in Yorktown, VA, courtesy Yahoo News - Noon-4 p.m.: Public Tours of L’Hermione
- Noon-1 p.m.: Public Tours of Pride
- 2 p.m-4 p.m.: Pride Public Sail, including music from Jonathan Jensen. Click here to purchase tickets to the Pride public sail.
- Noon-4 p.m.: Traveling Exhibit about L’Hermione’s reconstruction and Community Events, including colonial craft demonstrations, fife and drum corps, and sing-a-longs on the Pier.
Location: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Constellation Pier 1 (301 E. Pratt Street) and the West Wall (301 Light Street)
Saturday, June 20, 2015
- 9 a.m.-10 a.m.: Sandtown neighborhood students take private tour of L’Hermione
- 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Public Tours of L’Hermione
- 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.: Public Tours of Pride, including a special tour by Sandtown neighborhood students at 11 a.m.
- 2 p.m.-4 p.m.: Pride Public Sail. Click here to purchase Pride sail tickets.
- 9 a.m.-7 p.m.: Traveling Exhibit about L’Hermione reconstruction and Community Events, including colonial craft demonstrations, fife and drum corps, and sing-a-longs on the Pier.
Location: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Constellation Pier 1 (301 E. Pratt Street) and the West Wall (301 Light Street)
Sunday, June 21, 2015
- 9 a.m.–4 p.m.: Public Tours of L’Hermione
- 9 a.m.-1 p.m.: Public Tours of Pride
- 2 p.m.- 4 p.m.: Pride Public Sail. Click here to purchase tickets Pride sail tickets.
- 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.: Traveling Exhibit about L’Hermione reconstruction and community events, including colonial craft demonstrations, fife and drum corps, and sing-a-longs on the Pier.
Location: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Constellation Pier 1 (301 E. Pratt Street) and the West Wall (301 Light Street)
For more information, visit the Lafayette’s L’Hermione Voyage 2015 website.
