The 10 pounders flamed in our direction and grapeshot whistled overhead, missing our rigging and splashing harmlessly to the lee. The nimble scow jumped to life as we heeled her up and darted under the big schooner’s bowsprit.
Our only hope was to sail under the deck guns and launch the grappling hooks. The jackanapes aboard the so-called Pride of Baltimore would get a proper DC drubbing, hand to hand!
As we crossed under the foresails, Karen swung the treble hook overhead in lazy loops, cowboy fashion. Just as she was letting fly, a manatee surfaced from the depths and bumped the bilgeboards. A miss on the first toss as the iron and rope fell to the waves!
We tacked and prepared to cross the big topsail schooner’s stern. Whistlebritches passed just under the big guns, presenting an impossible target as the Baltimorons shook fists overhead and swore they’d get us! Our next pass was too quick and the treble hook fell harmlessly against the pintles.
With the element of surprise lost, we lay a beam reach for the Alexandria coast, and passed out of range.
The Pride of Baltimore II was built in 1988 as a “good will ambassador” for its hometown. It was modeled after a successful privateer during the war of 1812. More on this ship at: http://www.pride2.org/history/index.php
