Maryland announces major maritime festival to mark War of 1812

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley joined Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and representatives from the U.S. Navy and Operation Sail today to announce Star-Spangled Sailabration, an international maritime festival that will launch Maryland's three-year War of 1812 bicentennial efforts. Star-Spangled Sailabration will take place June 13-19, 2012 in Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Chesapeake Bay.

"The bicentennial of The Star-Spangled Banner and the War of 1812 will depict Maryland's pivotal role in securing America's independence," O'Malley said. "We are pleased to welcome these ships to the Inner Harbor and Chesapeake Bay for this historic celebration that will remind Americans of how, through courage and conviction, Marylanders from all walks of life came together and gave our nation her flag and national anthem."

Dozens of Navy ships and tall ships from the U.S. and international navies are expected to line Baltimore's harbor during the week, bringing thousands of sailors to the region. Additional activities will include free on-board public tours of ships, official visits by international dignitaries and Navy leadership, fireworks, crew sporting competitions, community service projects, living history displays, educational activities, a new symphonic work, a public art project, and much more.

It was on June 18, 1812 that the young United States declared war on Great Britain. "Star-Spangled Sailabration will kick off the events building to the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore and penning of the national anthem in September 2014," Rawlings-Blake said.

In addition to Baltimore, the Navy will commemorate the Bicentennial in New Orleans, Norfolk, Va., New York, Boston, and several other historically significant cities. The Chief of Naval Operations has invited 120 countries to send appropriate combat ships as well as their national academy sail training tall ships. Officials have identified nine U.S. warships and five tall sailing ships to visit Baltimore; other vessels from Great Britain, Canada, Columbia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Mexico are expected to participate. The Coast Guard has confirmed its tall ship, the Eagle, will visit and lead the parade of sail.

Operation Sail (OpSail), the Congressionally-chartered nonprofit producer of tall ship events, is partnering with the U.S. Navy to produce next year's commemoration events.

About Star-Spangled 200, Inc. - Star-Spangled 200, Inc. is the not-for-profit 501(c)3 entity that supports the fundraising goals of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. Established in September 2010, Star-Spangled 200, Inc. is charged with educating the public through celebration and commemoration of the historical events of the War of 1812 by supporting the charitable and educational activities of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. For more, visit www.starspangled200.org.

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An excerpt from the upcoming Fyddeye Guide to America's Lighthouses

In early 2012, I will publish the second book in the Fyddeye Guide series, the Fyddeye Guide to America's Lighthouses. The new book will feature a number of special features, including a primer on the basic facts of lighthouses. Here's an excerpt from the article.

The history of the modern lighthouse began in the 17th century, particularly as Great Britain rose as a sea power. Increasingly dependent on shipping for trade, the British government needed ways to reduce the risks to men and ships bringing goods from all over the world. Trinity House, Great Britain’s government agency in charge of lighthouses, built its first lighthouse in 1609. But the first true modern lighthouse—with the classic tapering tower rising to a bright beacon—was the Eddystone Lighthouse, lit in 1698. Located off the coast of Cornwall, it started as a wooden tower anchored by 12 iron stanchions embedded in hard rock. It was swept away in a storm in 1703, and the government replaced it with another wood tower, which was destroyed by fire in 1755. The third tower, this time made of stone, lasted until 1855, when the tower in use today was constructed. The new tower is still in use, right next to the stub of the 1755 tower.

The first lighthouse tower in the Americas was probably built by the Spanish at St. Augustine (now in Florida) in the 16th century, but some argue that the first true lighthouse in the New World—Boston Light—appeared on Little Brewster Island off the entrance to Boston Harbor in 1716. The next light in New England, at Brant Point, Massachusetts, was constructed in 1746 to mark the entrance to Nantucket Harbor. Britain’s colonies, like the mother country, were almost totally dependent on sea trade, and lighthouses became critical safety measures. A dozen lighthouses were in operation by the Revolutionary War, and they become battlegrounds; the British destroyed Boston Light in 1755. After the war, the new government started building more lighthouses. Among the earliest acts of President George Washington was ordering the construction of lighthouses at Montauk Point, New York and Seguin Island, Maine.

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Commodore John Barry

Commodore John Barry (via YouTube) Commodore John Barry by Miss Caoimhe Dwan is the 2011 Winning Essay of Maritime History Category for www.followthefleet.ie primary school essay competition.

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Seven 'Class A' tall ships to participate in War of 1812 commemoration

Jose Fuentes, chairman of Operation Sail, Inc., has announced the names of the first seven international tall ships that will sail in the OpSail 2012 commemorations being produced jointly with the U.S. Navy. Fuentes said that tall ships from Russia, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico and the United States are the first confirmed participants in the multi-port commemoration which begins in April 2012.  Cities involved include New Orleans, San Juan, New York, Norfolk, Baltimore, Boston and New London.

“It is exciting that so many nations have made early commitments to join these festivities,” Fuentes said, adding that planners expect many more commitments in the months ahead.

Naval attaches of invited countries and representatives of the host cities met on September 22 in Washington, D.C. “Up to two dozen ‘Class A’ tall ships representing national maritime academies around the world will come to the U.S. next spring and summer,” he added.  “In addition, a number of privately owned ‘Class B’ tall sailing ships will join in these magnificent events.”

The first seven ships to indicate their participation include some of the world’s largest tall ships:

• USCG Barque Eagle, home-ported in New London, Conn., is a 290-foot long globetrotting ambassador and sail training ship of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Eagle always leads the Parade of Sail.
• The Russian ship Sedov, at 386 feet long the largest sailing ship in the world, is a four-masted barque that trains cadets from the universities of Murmansk, Saint Petersburg and Arkhangelsk.
• Juan Sebastian de Elcano, the 370-foot long tall ship of Spain, is a four-masted topsail schooner home-ported in Cadiz. She is the third-largest tall ship in the world.
• Libertad, the 356-foot long full-rigged ship of the Argentine navy, sailed in four previous OpSail events.
• Cisne Branco, the 249-foot long full-rigged tall ship of Brazil, is home-ported in Rio de Janeiro. Built in 1998, she is one of the newest ships participating.
• Guayas, the 257-foot long tall ship of Ecuador, trains cadets from the Ecuadorian Naval Superior School at Guayaquil.
• Cuauhtémoc, the 270-foot tall ship of Mexico, is a barque built in 1982. Home-ported in Acapulco, she is a sister ship of Guayas.

OpSail is partnering with the U.S. Navy to produce events next year that celebrate the bicentennial of the writing of The Star-Spangled Banner and commemorate the War of 1812. Multi-day events in each port will include parades of sail, public visitation, international athletic competitions, community relations activities and spectacular air shows featuring the Navy’s Blue Angels. No air show will take place in San Juan or New London.

“Bringing the tall ships of the world back to U.S. waters for the commemoration of this glorious American milestone excites the imagination,” Fuentes said. “Throughout 2012-2015, millions of people will watch these graceful and majestic sailing ships as they parade together, and celebrate the brotherhood of the sea and our freedoms.”

States, municipalities and civic organizations have formed host committees to organize the week-long events in each port in concert with OpSail executives and Navy officials. All of the ships will be open for public visiting free of charge, and citizens will have the opportunity of interacting with talented young sailors from around the world.

OpSail events contribute to the economy of participating port cities through increased hotel bookings, restaurant reservations and new infrastructure. OpSail events also attract significant national and international media coverage. Key 2012 dates for the OpSail / Navy ship visits:

• New Orleans, Louisiana, April 17-23
• San Juan, Puerto Rico (tall ships only), May 9-14
• New York, New York, May 23-30 (Fleet Week)
• Norfolk, Virginia, June 1-12 (Harborfest)
• Baltimore / Annapolis, Maryland, June 13-19
• Boston, Massachusetts, June 30-July 6
• New London, Connecticut (tall ships only), July 6-9

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