The Pride of Baltimore II Returns Home

BALTIMORE, Md. (WJZ)-- The Pride of Baltimore II is back in Fells Point after a four-month journey through the Great Lakes.

Between leaving Baltimore last June and returning Thursday, the Pride of Baltimore II racked up over 8,000 nautical miles, and every mile takes strength and skill, not to mention a tolerance for working in high places, with only a rope to stand on.

"It's a very humbling experience coming on and doing this," said Mike Baldwin, a guest crew member.

A handful of guest crew members spent money to do experience sailing, 19th century style.

"It was enjoyable in some ways. It was hard in some ways," said guest crew member, Kay Faul-Lynch.

"I've seen this ship since I was really, really young and I never appreciated how much work goes into it," said Baldwin.

For the professionals, the trip to the Great Lakes and back, promoting Baltimore at ports along the way, is routine.

"The last couple of weeks have been awesome. We been sailing for the last three weeks from the St. Lawrence Seaway to get back to Baltimore," said Chad Lossing, chief mate of the Pride of Baltimore II.

Approaching Fort McHenry, the end was finally within sight and worthy of a salute.

For the guest crew it was an experience. Guest crew member Richard Deep said he would do it again "in a heartbeat."

"It's nice to get back somewhere where you know stuff, you know people, where to go drink," said crewman Chad.

"It's an itinerant profession until you gain enough seniority and enough experience to become permanent. And that's a very rare opportunity. I'm one of the lucky ones," said Captain Jan Miles.

The Pride's goodwill mission continues at home, when it takes part in fleet week.

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