SALEM — The Salem Maritime Festival was ushered in on Friday with the arrival of the historic tall ship Pride of Baltimore II in Salem Harbor, being welcomed by Salem locals and sailing enthusiasts eager to board the vessel and immerse themselves in maritime history.
The Pride of Baltimore II, a faithful reproduction of the Baltimore Clippers of the late 18th and 19th centuries, has sailed over 275,000 nautical miles and visited more than 200 ports in 40 countries in North, South, and Central America, Europe, and Asia.
This year, the crew departed from their home port in Baltimore to participate in the America 250th celebration events around the country at locations like Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, New York, Boston, Maine, Gloucester, and now Salem — just in time for the city’s Heritage Days Festival weekend. After leaving Salem, the ship will sail north to Nova Scotia, back to Maine, Boston, New York, and then home.
Spectators lined Central Wharf as the ship made its approach Friday, watching as crew members tied up to port, anchored with buoys, and secured the lines atop the ship’s mast.
Salem local Josie Wacker waited with friends to welcome her bandmate back to land after they had worked as a temporary crew member. Wacker said she has always had a passion for the romantic idea of the Age of Sail, which only became stronger after moving to Salem and becoming more immersed in the area’s maritime history.
“Growing up in inland Texas, far away from the sea, I was obsessed with sailing because the ocean was this mythic idea of the last real free place on Earth,” Wacker said. “I started working in Salem and fell more and more in love with the maritime side of the history here, and eventually me and my friends who worked at History Alive started a folk shanty band. As a storyteller, I’m fascinated by all the things that (tall ships) represent beyond just a piece of wood.”
Mayor Dominick Pangallo welcomed the Pride of Baltimore II crew to land with gifts including Salem 400+ lapel pins, a Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade and Festival poster, a Salem 400+ commemorative coin, and a city seal citation. Pangallo remarked on the continued relevance of ships like the Pride of Baltimore II in continuing the city’s maritime history.
“Our history in Salem is defined by the ocean, the connections that happen across the waves to the ports and the people of places as far as Japan and Indonesia, but also as close by as Maryland and our friends in Baltimore,” Pangallo said.
Captain Jeffrey Crosby said that being able to visit a variety of communities in the U.S. has allowed for a sharing of local histories all centered around a shared appreciation for the sea.
“It’s cool to see so much enthusiasm for maritime history and tradition,” Crosby said. “It’s really great to be a part of that and bring that maritime history and tradition that’s specific to Chesapeake Bay to this area. Because America as a young country has a lot of similarities, but there are local differences, so it’s good to mix and share our stories with your stories. We’re excited to be a part of this whole celebration.”
Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202