Our position is: 39:16.768N 76:34.914W

Luckily it was not far up the Patapsco to Baltimore, where we were booked into the Anchorage Marina. Baltimore had been commemorating the bicentennial of the 1812 war as well, so many historic boats had gathered there.

Susan prepared an excellent breakfast on board Moonlight Sail and then we were off for the one and a half hours trip up the river, past Fort McHenry, to arrive in time to see all the historic boats leaving. They made a spectacular sight as they sailed past our marina in glorious sunshine.

After entertaining Marshall and Susan and their friends Rachel and Jim (a retired pilot on the river) to lunch we all walked to Fells Point to catch a ferry over to Fort McHenry. It was very interesting to read and hear all about the attack by the British on the fort as part of their plan to take Baltimore and also the history of the writing of the Star Spangled Banner, the words of which were written by a young American Lawyer who had gone out to the British fleet under a flag of truce to negotiate a prisoner exchange and was detained during the bombardment on the water, witnessing the full artillery exchange. The hoisting of the American flag at dawn over the fort informed him that the fort had not been destroyed and inspired the words of what is now their National Anthem. The fort also provided the answers to the questions we had been given so far in the week long history trivia quiz.

We had to hurry away from the fort to get back in time to shower and join the drinks party taking place in the sailors’ lounge at the marina. This was fantastic, with the wine flowing freely and truly excellent nibbles provided by club members. We followed this by a restaurant dinner with Marshall and Susan, (Commodore) Don and Ann Bradbury and Bob (the Event Chairman) and Joy , who Ted had met previously further South in the bay while I was at home. I was rather feeling the effect of non-stop eating and drinking so settled for a “small plate” (it looked like a normal sized meal to me) of sushi grade tuna, but Ted (as did most of the others) went for that nights special of ribs. It was only a half rack but still filled the plate.

Breakfast on Moonlight Sail - Maximus being restrained to stop him eating it all!          Moorglade leaving the raft

The 2 we left behind                                                                                          a police boat guarding the Patapsco River bridge with slightly surreal cranes in the background

The Canadian Navy leaving Baltimore after the bicentennial celebrations                    The fire boat greeted the tall ships with water sprays  (but not us)

Fort McHenry                                                                                                              Pride of Baltimore

A traditional Chesapeake skipjack contrasts with the navy ship behind                           This one had more sails but no people on the yards

They seemed to be dancing on the  yards on this one                                                    Lunch on Moorglade after the spectacle

        On the water taxi to Fort McHenry

 The guns from 1812                                                                                                     and the view they would have had of the British approaching. These guns are from the Civil War

Drinks party at the marina                                                                                        and dinner afterwards