Ruth Toomey

Pride of Baltimore, Inc. is the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that owns and manages the tallship, PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II. Our mission is to promote historical maritime education, foster economic development and tourism, and represent the people of Maryland, and the United States in ports throughout the world. PRIDE is a reconstruction of an early 19th-century Baltimore Clipper. These sleek, fast, and maneuverable vessels became famous as privateers during the War of 1812. Their success in capturing British merchant ships provoked the Royal Navy's attack on Baltimore in 1814. When Francis Scott Key saw the American flag still flying after the all-night bombardment of Fort McHenry, he was inspired to pen the "Star-Spangled Banner."​ One of the most successful Baltimore Clippers of the time was CHASSEUR, which was launched from Thomas Kemp's shipyard in Fells Point (Baltimore.) In a daring voyage to Great Britain, CHASSEUR's captain Thomas Boyle declared a blockade of the British Isles by CHASSEUR alone! This caused the British Admiralty to call vessel back to the British Isles to protect their merchant ships. CHASSEUR captured or sank 17 vessels befure returning home to Baltimore in 1815. Upon her arrival in Fells Point, she was greeted by cheering crowds and dubbed the "pride of Baltimore."​ For nearly four decades, PRIDE OF BALTIMORE and PRIDE OF BALTIMORE II have represented the people of Maryland, spreading a positive message and extending the hand of friendship throughout the world. Since her commissioning in 1988, PRIDE II has traveled more than 250,000 nautical miles and visited 40 countries in 200 ports. PRIDE II has become one of the most well-known U.S. sailing vessels in the world, capturing the imagination of millions of people. Each season the vessel visits dozens of ports of call, and welcomes aboard over 100,000 people for deck tours, sailing charters, day sails, youth programs, private events, and overnight guest crew experiences.