I attended the 6th annual Privateer Day yesterday, held in the Fell’s Point waterfront neighborhood of Baltimore. There were plenty o’ parrots, pirates and privateers; a living history camp; live music; and loads more cannon firings than last year (always a good thing).

A new treat this year was the appearance of H.M.S. Bounty. This ship was built in 1960 for the filming of Mutiny on the Bounty, starring Marlon Brando. It has since been used in other films, including Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. People were allowed to go aboard and explore her decks, built larger than normal to accommodate film crews. She participated in a mock sea battle with the Pride of Baltimore II later in the day (during which my camera battery gave out).

Fell’s Point was a shipbuilding hub, famous for its fast-sailing schooners, of which the Pride is an example. The British attack on Baltimore during the War of 1812 was due in large part to Fell’s Point’s privateer reputation. The British Admiralty called Fell’s Point “a nest of pirates.”

Needless to say, I can’t get enough of Privateer Day. I’ll post more pictures at later dates.

Pride of Baltimore II

H.M.S. Bounty, on its way to battle the Pride

Photos © ACF