Alexander Greenham, 2, of Amherstburg checks out the steering wheel of the Pride of Baltimore II, a Baltimore-based tall ship that docked in Amherstburg on Saturday and invited the public aboard for tours.
Photograph by: Dan Janisse, The Windsor Star, The Windsor Star
There's a certain romance and sense of adventure about the Pride of Baltimore II.
But according to crew member Carolyn Ceavey it sometimes appears more romantic than it really is.
"Some of the more gritty details kind of get glossed over," the 27-year-old said Sunday during a free tour of the ship docked at Duffy's dockyard in Amherstburg.
A lot of elbow grease goes into maintaining the 157-foot tall ship, she said, recalling the hours she has spent meticulously painting and cleaning.
Not to mention the constant lookout shared among the 12 crew members while at sea.
Ceavey recalled standing on deck in the middle of the night for four hours in the pouring rain and 4 C weather - a shift she said she would like to forget.
However, Ceavey said the crew members do it for their love of sailing.
"There isn't a person here that's in it for the money," Ceavey said. "It's all about heart and commitment to sailing and keeping the tradition alive."
Ceavey, from the Boston area, has called the tall ship home for the past 10 months.
The ship arrived Saturday at noon with its four cannons firing and sails billowing in the wind. Free tours of the schooner drew a crowd of thousands.
The ship is owned and operated by a Baltimore-based non-profit organization Pride of Baltimore Inc., and relies on private donations. It was built in 1988 as a reproduction of an 1812-era topsail schooner privateer. With her sails spanning 107 feet in the air, she can hit 15 knots, Ceavey said.
Anne Rota, Amherstburg's manager of tourism and culture, said the ship's visit is a way to bring attention to the town's bicentennial commemoration of the War of 1812. The festival called Roots to Boots will run Aug. 3-5 next year.
The ships's captain, Jan Miles, said he enjoyed discussing the War of 1812 with town residents.
James Bruce, a 68-year-old Amherstburg resident, carried a book of tall ships with him as he toured the schooner. He had Miles sign the page bearing the Pride of Baltimore II.
Bruce said he has tall ship models at home, but nothing compares to standing behind and gripping the ship's wheel. The Baltimore is the third tall ship Bruce has been on.
"It's beautiful," he said. "I think I'd like to take her for a ride."
But according to crew member Carolyn Ceavey it sometimes appears more romantic than it really is.
"Some of the more gritty details kind of get glossed over," the 27-year-old said Sunday during a free tour of the ship docked at Duffy's dockyard in Amherstburg.
A lot of elbow grease goes into maintaining the 157-foot tall ship, she said, recalling the hours she has spent meticulously painting and cleaning.
Not to mention the constant lookout shared among the 12 crew members while at sea.
Ceavey recalled standing on deck in the middle of the night for four hours in the pouring rain and 4 C weather - a shift she said she would like to forget.
However, Ceavey said the crew members do it for their love of sailing.
"There isn't a person here that's in it for the money," Ceavey said. "It's all about heart and commitment to sailing and keeping the tradition alive."
Ceavey, from the Boston area, has called the tall ship home for the past 10 months.
The ship arrived Saturday at noon with its four cannons firing and sails billowing in the wind. Free tours of the schooner drew a crowd of thousands.
The ship is owned and operated by a Baltimore-based non-profit organization Pride of Baltimore Inc., and relies on private donations. It was built in 1988 as a reproduction of an 1812-era topsail schooner privateer. With her sails spanning 107 feet in the air, she can hit 15 knots, Ceavey said.
Anne Rota, Amherstburg's manager of tourism and culture, said the ship's visit is a way to bring attention to the town's bicentennial commemoration of the War of 1812. The festival called Roots to Boots will run Aug. 3-5 next year.
The ships's captain, Jan Miles, said he enjoyed discussing the War of 1812 with town residents.
James Bruce, a 68-year-old Amherstburg resident, carried a book of tall ships with him as he toured the schooner. He had Miles sign the page bearing the Pride of Baltimore II.
Bruce said he has tall ship models at home, but nothing compares to standing behind and gripping the ship's wheel. The Baltimore is the third tall ship Bruce has been on.
"It's beautiful," he said. "I think I'd like to take her for a ride."
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