Pride of Baltimore docks in Wilmington

Downtown Wilmington has a rather large guest for the weekend. “The Pride of Baltimore II” docked along the riverfront on Thursday.

The vessel is a reproduction of a Baltimore clipper, ships which helped America earn its freedom in the War of 1812.

The crew’s mission is to educate the public about Maryland’s important role in American history.

Captain Jamie Trost explained more. “This vessel is a direct link to the history of the star spangled banner. It was because of her ancestors being built in the Baltimore harbor area that the British tried to invade Baltimore, to burn down those shipyards and they were unsuccessful and that was inspiration for Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner.”

The ship will be docked in downtown Wilmington until Sunday.

Free tours are open to the public beginning Friday at 5 p.m. Weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday.