Godspeed in Baltimore, 2006


We finally managed to board the Godspeed from Jamestown, and to see the HMS Northumberland from the UK. We got up early so we could get to the Godspeed at 11, when the ship first opened to visitors; having faced two-hour plus lines in Alexandria, we assumed we would be most likely to get aboard early in the day. This new Godspeed has been designed to look like its 1600-era original on the outside, though made of harder wood. It has a diesel engine, a flushing head and other modern amenities below, so the interior is closed to visitors, but our tour guide was one of the reenactors we met in Alexandria in the mockup of the original interior of the ship, and we got to hear from him about life aboard the touring ambassador vessel which is going from city to city with the exhibit on Virginia's 400th anniversary.


A minstrel performs with the Godspeed behind him, and the National Aquarium and harbor in the background.


While one of the ship's crew discusses the construction of the replica and the voyage...


...another heads up the ratlines to secure a sail.


Here again with the USS Constellation towering behind her.


HMS Northumberland visiting Baltimore Harbor. The ship was closed to visitors on Sunday, but these sailors told us she was headed next to the Bahamas.


This is an enormous frigate launched in 1992. Here is news about her visit to Baltimore.


The ship docked at Fells Point, which is kind of ironic as the shipyards where many Baltimore clippers and Navy vessels that fought the British during the Revolution and War of 1812 were built here.


Did I mention the cute Royal Navy sailors? In shorts?


If this ship looks familiar, that's because it's a model of the USS Constellation before her refurbishing...I have a piece of wood from the era of this model, when much of the ship was rebuilt.


The front of the Fells Point Maritime Museum, on a Baltimore street that used to have salvage shops and now has boutiques.


The Chesapeake Marine Railway and Drydock Company was founded in Kennard's Wharf in 1866 by Isaac Myers, one of very few African American business owners of that era.


This is a reproduction of a painting showing the privateer Surprise capturing the British Star -- one of 43 ships she captured or destroyed in 1814-15. This Surprise was built in St. Michaels and sailed out of Baltimore.



RETURN TO MY PHOTOS / RETURN TO THE LITTLE REVIEW