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World's Oldest Square-Rigged Tall Ship Comes To Charm City

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A spectacular sight at the Inner Harbor for five days only. The oldest square-rigged tall ship in the world is docked in Baltimore now through Saturday.

Mary Bubala reports the public can board the ship for free.

We spotted the tall ship near the Key Bridge. The Statsraad Lehmkuhl, a Norwegian ship built in 1914, is making its way to the Inner Harbor. She features 22 sails, reaching speeds of up to 17 knots, or 20 miles per hour.

The historic ship can hold 200 with a permanent crew of 20 and 60 cadets.

"We sail from Norway to America and back again. We spend about three months at sea," said Lasse Hiis Bergh, the ship's commanding officer. "The cadets are doing lots of training--the rigging to learn the sailing, know how to handle the ship so when we leave Baltimore on Saturday, they should be prepared for the winter storms in the north Atlantic and the North Sea on our way back to Norway."

As the ship arrives at the Inner Harbor, it's a familiar sight for the crew. This is their ninth visit to Baltimore.

"Baltimore is our favorite port. It's a very nice port. Nice people, great hospitality, and thanks to Sail Baltimore for hosting us every year," he said.

At 323 feet long, this is the largest sailing ship of the year for Sail Baltimore, the nonprofit that's responsible for bringing visiting ships to our port since 1975. And it will be back next year, as part of the city's continuing celebration to memorialize the War of 1812.

"If folks remember the Sailabration of 2012, it's very similar. Tall ships, Naval ships from around the world, Blue Angels, fireworks...it's going to be one of the biggest celebrations this city has ever seen," said Michael McGeady, Sail Baltimore.

The tall ship is here through Saturday with public tours on Wednesday and Friday.

For more information, click here.

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