Nov 5, 2009 7:20 pm US/Eastern
Tall Ship Arrives At Baltimore's Inner Harbor
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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She's the largest ship of her kind. The Statsraad Lehmkuhl arrived at Baltimore's Inner Harbor Thursday.
CBS
One of the main reasons people settled in the area later known as Baltimore is because of our natural harbor. Baltimore boomed because sailing ships lined the piers.
Mike Schuh reports the city continues to attract the giants of the sea.
There is something right about seeing the tall ships dockside at the Inner Harbor.
We may tend to take it for granted that such vessels from the past will glide over the horizon to berth in our cozy little harbor, but for 35 years, Sail Baltimore has succeeded in making that happen.
She's the largest ship of her kind, and on Thursday the Statsraad Lehmkuhl arrived in Baltimore.
The Norwegian ship was used to train naval cadets. She's now a floating history lesson.
"Unlike other ships, we have an outdoor bridge," said Erik Holthe.
"But this is the fourth time we come here because it's such a beautiful city and so hospitable. So Baltimore is really nice," said Captain Thomas Wedervang, Royal Norwegian Naval Academy.
Our closeness to the Naval Academy in Annapolis and Washington is helpful in getting the ships of foreign navies here.
Michael McGeady works on bringing tall ships here. He says other ports pay the ships to come, but Baltimore doesn't have to pay to make friends.
"In this case, it's Statsraad Lehmkuhl's fourth straight year here because they're blown away by what we offer them. We don't have to pay to come to Baltimore because it's a great stop," said McGeady.
The family of the crew sends a former Norwegian sailor living here in Baltimore packages to give to the sailors when they're in Baltimore.
"I love it. We get all the packages at the house and give it to the ship. It's a little rowhouse not this much room," said Magne Frem, local volunteer.
It's a great stop because by tour's end, the crew needs a break. Cadets stay locally, visiting New York and D.C.
"Of course I educate war fighters, but we also educate diplomats and leaders, and this is part of the program," said Captain Wedervang.
The ship will be available for free tours on Saturday and Sunday from noon until 4 p.m.
If you can't get down for the free tours, you can watch the ship sail out of the harbor at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Her next stop is Norfolk before sailing across the Atlantic to Norway.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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