News Release

Annapolis Maritime Museum / 723 Second St / Annapolis, MD 21403
Contact: Jenny Kottler / 410 295-0104

What:      2013 Winter Lecture Series: Reliving The War of 1812 through
           the Pride of Baltimore Schooners
When:      Thursday, January 24, 2013 
Time:      7 - 8:30 p.m.; Registration beginsat 6:30 p.m.
Admission: In advance: $12.50/Museum members; $17.50/Non-members;
           At the door: $20
Where:     Annapolis Maritime Museum, 723 Second Street,Annapolis, MD 21403
More info: www.amaritime.org or Janie Meneely, 443 786-0463

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Jan. 18, 2013

Reliving the War of 1812 Through the Pride of Baltimore Schooners

The Annapolis Maritime Museum will present the second lecture in a series of ten presentations that make up its Winter Lecture Series on Thursday, January 24, from 7-8:30 p.m. Captain Jan Miles’ talk, “Reliving The War of 1812 through the Pride of Baltimore Schooners,” will be accompanied by the Pride of Baltimore’s privateer history wall display and video showing Pride of Baltimore II under sail.

Captain Miles will highlight his experiences over the years sailing both Pride of Baltimore schooners as part of an international community of tall ships. He will describe the role that Pride of Baltimore II continues to have in raising awareness of the role of Baltimore Clippers as privateers during the War of 1812, leading the British to attack Baltimore and Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner.

Since 1981, Jan C. Miles has served as a captain of the reproduction Baltimore Clippers Pride of Baltimore and Pride of Baltimore II for the not-for-profit company Pride of Baltimore, Inc. Captain Miles has sailed these topsail schooners as far east as St. Petersburg, Russia, and as far west as Canton, China, demonstrating that skilled seamanship can achieve the superior sailing performance required for Baltimore Clipper success as privateers in the War of 1812.

During the War of 1812, America's Second War of Independence, President James Madison attempted to overcome the small size of the US Navy by issuing Letters of Marquee and Reprisal to private ship owners. This document allowed its holder to arm his vessel and act as a privateer, or, in essence, a legal pirate, representing the United States. Privateers were permitted to prey upon the merchant fleet of the belligerent nation, Great Britain, and take captured cargo and vessels as prizes. Many American privateers sailed out of Fells Point. Baltimore Clippers, built throughout the Chesapeake region, captured or sank some 1,700 British merchant vessels during the 2½-year war. Other Baltimore Clippers served as cargo vessels to bring needed munitions and other armaments through the naval blockade that the British imposed on the US coastline, including the Chesapeake Bay.

Come and enjoy a fascinating night of history at the Annapolis Maritime Museum on Thursday, January 24, from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Advance tickets can be purchased, until January 23, online at www.amaritime.org for $17.50 (non-members) and $12.50 for members. Tickets at the door are $25. 

The Annapolis Maritime Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and commemorating the maritime heritage of Annapolis, the Chesapeake Bay and its neighboring waters. The Museum partners with community groups, government entities, and other like-minded organizations to deliver high-quality educational initiatives and programs on subjects ranging from history and culture to the environment and good stewardship practices.

For more information about the Museum: www.amaritime.org

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