St Georges, Bermuda: Not the America’s Cup… The Pride of Baltimore II – the Baltimore Clipper that represents the State of Baltimore, is celebrating her 40th year afloat in 2017.
Somewhat spectacularly she suffered a knockdown in last week’s race from Charleston to Bermuda. This is how Captain Jordan Smith reported it in his blog:
“Around midday, a very steep wave knocked us down. The seas were averaging around 7 to 10 feet, but occasionally a few of them would roll themselves together and make something bigger and nastier. This knocked us over pretty far — we submerged the swivel gun atop the caprail. The boom dipped in the water, and the resulting forces pulled the boom jaws off the mast, breaking its securing parrel and five of the mast hoops. Our cook, Phil, was making biscuits down below at the time, and, after a bit of a tumble, wound up with the mixing bowl of flour upended and resting on his head, looking like a shellshocked British Tommy at the Somme. We lowered the main to make repairs, and were still going 10 and 11 knots without it! After spending a couple hours jury rigging, the wind moderated and we set the main with one reef.”
Read the rest of Captain Smith’s report: HERE
A video shot aboard of her sail to Bermuda can be viewed via the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/prideII/videos/10154522102608639/
Main photo is from Light and Shadow Collectible Photography