I like square yachts

- photo from pride2.org

Just before sunset on Saturday afternoon, The Pride of Baltimore II returned to the Inner Harbor striking her square sails.  Watching her slip past, with the flag at Fort McHenry flying in the background, was jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

-above: The bombardment of Ft. McHenry, 1814

"In the 1790's, Maryland led the nation in shipbuilding and Baltimore was the undisputed leader of this industry on the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore Clippers, built for speed in an era when speed on the high seas was synonymous with survival, won the respect of the maritime nations of the world and helped establish the reputation of the Port of Baltimore as a center of commerce and the home of some of the world's most creative shipbuilders.

"The design for Baltimore Clippers emerged from the shipyards of Fells Point in response to the need for fast ships that could elude the powerful but lumbering British naval vessels that preyed upon American shipping, even after our successful War of Independence. Baltimore Clippers were "sharp built," that is, they had a V-shaped hull that could cut quickly through the waves. As a result they were fast, but had little cargo space, a major factor in their eventual decline. They were gaff-rigged schooners, although many had a square sail for driving power on the foremast." - source here

- Earl of Pembroke, above

Square-rigged ships are largely a thing of the past ... and it's a pity.  Find out more about spankers here.

- Phoenix, above