The clipper ship Pride of Baltimore II visited Cambridge Harbor.

The Pride of Baltimore II sailing down the Chesapeake Bay.

She sailed from Baltimore down the Chesapeake Bay then up the Choptank River to Cambridge in 2 days — about 16 hours total sailing time.

A motorized crabbing boat rushes past the Pride.

I was available for a free deck tour on a bright and sunny afternoon.  A crew member welcomed me aboard.

The Pride is beautifully accented with brass details which need regular upkeep.

As I boarded modern sailors dressed in polo shirts and khaki shorts were polishing brass the old fashioned way — lots of hand action.

Loads of stays and shrouds, halyards and sheets on this multiple sail ship.

The rigging is a square-topsail schooner.

Looking forward from the helm.

The Pride is fashioned after privateers (a privately owned ship or sailor given official government permission to attack and capture enemy ships during wartime) in the War of 1812. During the War of 1812, Baltimore Clippers and privateers defended independence, safeguarded sailors’ rights, and helped secure our country’s place among the nations of the world.

While there are larger, more traditional cannons onboard, I loved this little swivel gun mounted on the gunwale.

Currently there is a crew of 12 — in 1812 as many as 100 sailors might be on a ship like this. I found that curious and almost unbelievable since the ship is not really very large.  The explanation is that when a privateer would overtake an enemy ship they would inevitably leave a crew on board the captured ship which would diminish their number.

The lifeboat on board, Chasseur,  named after the inspiration boat for the Pride of Baltimore, is also a sailboat.

I was assured by multiple crew members that below deck is comfortable with  beds, modern galley, GPS, and other up-to-date navigational equipment.

She sails under the flags of the United States of America, the State of Maryland, and the City of Baltimore .  The national ensign is flown at the stern staff or the peak of the aftermost gaff thus not always the highest flag on a ship.

The Pride of Baltimore II regularly displays the following flags or pennants:

My cruise to view Chesapeake Bay lighthouses began here.

As we approached Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse the weather started to turn cloudy and stormy.

Continuing north heading toward the Chesapeake Bay Bridge we next encountered Thomas Point Shoal Light.

Upon close inspection coyotes can be spotted on the dock on the left.

Since January, 2024, a faux coyote named Drew has been stationed on the dock of the historic 1875 screw-pile lighthouse to solve a persistent bird-dropping problem.  The decoy family has now expanded to include a companion named Debby (with painted red toenails) and a young pup named Nugget.

As we left Thomas Point behind we could see rain squalls surrounding us.

Public tours of the interior of Thomas Point Lighthouse leave from Annapolis and must be arranged in advance for about $103 per person.  These charges help to maintain the lighthouse.

The first lighthouse at Sandy Point Shoal was erected in 1858.

As we watched the sky get darker and the rain begin to fall on us, we came upon Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay.

Many of us on the cruise brought raingear to protect us from stormy weather. (Chesapeake Bay Bridge in the distance.)

Since 2005 the lighthouse has been in private ownership who is required to allow Coast Guard access to the structure for periodic maintenance of the light.

Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse is out of commission but doesn’t look as dilapidated as some of the others.

In 2019, the Coast Guard notified mariners that Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse was being discontinued: “Due to the deteriorating condition of the Sandy Point Shoal Light structure, which has become a severe health hazard and a hazard to access for maintenance crews, the Coast Guard discontinued the light. The structure is privately owned and maintained, the Coast Guard is continuing to work with the owner concerning maintenance.”

Baltimore Harbor Lighthouse was finally commissioned in 1902 after 4 years of wind, water, and weather problems.

Our final lighthouse, Baltimore Harbor Lighthouse, marks the entrance to the Baltimore Channel at the mouth of the Magothy River.

Baltimore Harbor Lighthouse north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Baltimore Harbor Lighthouse is now privately owned and available for tours and events.

Heading southward toward the Chesapeake Bay Bridge the seas became rougher.

As the storm and rough waters increased we headed back to Cambridge Harbor (approximately 3 hours away) at top speed.

Yee ha! Love an adventure.

I was soaked through to the skin even with my rain gear. However the water and air were warm so getting wet was not much of an issue for me except I dared not take out my phone for any more photos.

Jo

I was up bright and early on a Sunday morning to meet Captain Phil, his first mate, and a group of 14 other lighthouse enthusiasts.

Captain Phil welcomed us aboard Fish Magnet out of Church Creek, Maryland.

The plan was to cruise up the Chesapeake Bay to see 6 lighthouses in various states of disrepair as many have been taken out of service.

Cambridge Creek Drawbridge on Maryland Avenue.

We sailed from Cambridge harbor through the drawbridge down the Choptank River.

Choptank River Lighthouse is located on the end of Pier A at Long Wharf Park (Water and High Streets) in Cambridge.

Our first lighthouse was the Choptank River Lighthouse which is open for self-tours from the land side.  This is a replica screw-pile lighthouse.

Sharps Island Lighthouse at the mouth of Choptank Bay.

After about an hour’s cruise to get out of the Choptank River onto the open Chesapeake Bay we saw Sharps Island Lighthouse. Once upon a time Sharps Island was over 600 acres, by the 1830s it was about half that size.

While unable to actually climb aboard the lighthouses we got nice and close.

By 1960, Sharps Island had been reduced to an underwater shoal, completely lost from view.

Sharps Lighthouse

Now all that remains is the third lighthouse on that spot, currently featuring a 15-degree list after it was damaged by ice in 1977.

Bloody Point Lighthouse has solar panels to power the modern lens, which is still an active aid to navigation.

Bloody Point, built in 1882, is named for the nearby point which has been the scene of a number of violent events throughout history. In the early days of the US, a group of Indians was reportedly enticed to the area by English colonists, who then butchered them. It is also rumored that a villainous French pirate was hung at Bloody Point.

Bloody Point Lighthouse has had a tilt almost from the beginning.

Bloody Point Lighthouse is now charred and rusted as a result of a tragic fire in 1960 that very nearly killed two lighthouse crewmen. Finally, in 2006 the lighthouse was auctioned to the private sector.

The clouds rolled in and the bay water became dark.

Check back for Part 2 of the tour when the weather turned ugly and the water became rough.

Jo