JANUARY 12th, 2008

With plans completed in May and the keel laid on June 25, 1853, just before steam propulsion was adopted as auxiliary power for all new warships, Constellation was the last all sail ship designed by the Navy, as well as the largest "sloop" built to that date.

A HISTORY AT SEA

Designed by John Lenthall, Chief Constructor of the Navy, as a "sloop-of-war," she was much larger than most other ships of that category. Being closer in size to a second class frigate enabled Constellation to carry a heavier battery of guns than conventional sloops. Launched on August 26, 1854 at the Gosport Navy Yard in Virginia, Constellation was commissioned on July 28, 1855.

The U.S. government declared the importation of slaves illegal in 1808, and those engaged in the slave trade guilty of piracy. The Navy's African Squadron was ordered to interdict the "triangle trade" taking slaves from Africa, to South America, the Caribbean Islands and southern United States.

Constellation took up station off the mouth of the Congo River on November 21, 1859. Her efforts resulted in the capture of the brig Delicia on December 21, 1859, the barque Cora on September 26, 1860, and the brig Triton on May 21, 1861. All slave ships.

When captured, the ships were impounded and sold at auction. The captains of slavers were required to post bond and await trial, while the crews were landed at the nearest port and released. The newly freed slaves were taken to Monrovia, Liberia.

The U.S. government paid a bounty of $25 for each slave freed, and "prize money" for each impounded ship, to be divided among the crew proportionally according to rank.

On June 16, 1933 a Navy Department order placed Constellation in a decommissioned status for preservation as a naval relic. Although numerous surveys were conducted and estimates given for the cost of restoring the vessel as a national historic shrine, no decisions on the ship's fate were taken.

On May 21, 1941, Constellation was designated "relief flagship" of Admiral Ernest J. King, Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. With King's appointment as Chief of Naval Operations at the beginning of America's involvement in World War II, Constellation continued in this capacity under Vice Admiral Royal Ingersoll, and alternately, as relief flagship of Battleship Division Five.

Following World War II Constellation left her berth in Newport for the last time, and was towed to the Boston Navy Yard to be placed in "ordinary" (the equivalent of a steel ship being put in "mothballs'). In 1954 Constellation, thought by many to be the namesake frigate, was moved to Baltimore in a "floating dry-dock" for restoration and preservation as an historic shrine by a private, non-profit patriotic organization.

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HAUNTED?

Many of the ghost stories associated with the USS Constellation now in dock in Baltimore's Inner Harbor should be taken with a grain of salt. This is due to the fact that many of them involve ghosts from the frigate Constellation from the 1700s! Nevertheless you will hear at least one story dealing with the current sloop of war.  Also, many people have reported strange feelings while visiting the ship and have seen shadowy figures in its lower decks!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

Be mindful of the weather and time of year. If this is a summer tour you will not need gloves, coats, etc.

• Reservations! :)
• Signed waiver (supplied at arival)
• Flashlight
• Sleeping bag (if you plan on any sleep that is)
• Pajamas (once again, if you plan on sleeping)
• Coat and layered clothing (there will be some space heaters but not everywhere! Be mindful of the time of year.)
• Hat, gloves
• Woolen socks are helpful if winter weather is present

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WHAT NOT TO BRING

• Cell phones (please leave off during tours and investigating)
• Video games, MP3 players, etc.

In planning what to bring and not to bring, common sense should maintain the upper hand.  Please, keep in mind that ship stowage space is severely limited and that each participant will carry whatever is brought on board the ship.   If you are planning an extended stay in the Baltimore, Inner Harbor area, gear may be stowed on board during the day preceding and following the overnight event, but this will need to be arranged for ahead of time. 

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ITINERARY

5:00 PM/1700 Hours – Group will assemble on Pier 1 in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and meet Vince Wilson, his guests (if any) and a member of Constellation’s Ship’s Crew. During inclement weather, meet in sheltered space between SHIP’S STORE entrance and MUSEUM door.

5:15 PM/1715 Hours – Safety rules, board ship, and sign enlistment papers

6:00 PM/1800 Hours – Hands-on activity, “Brace the Yards!”

6:20 PM/1820 Hours – Hands-on activity, “Anchors Aweigh!”

7:00 PM/1900 Hours –Presentation: “Food in the Navy.”

7:15 PM/1915 Hours – Supper

8:00 PM/2000 Hours – Ship’s tour

8:40 PM/2040 Hours – Stow Gear

9:00 PM/2100 Hours – Set up for Ghost Hunt!

9:45 PM/2145 Hours - Preparation for “Lights Out"

10:00 PM/2200 Hours - Lights Out! Begin Night Watch

6:00 AM/0600 Hours – End Night Watch

Early! (But not too early!) - Reveille!

7:15 AM/0715 Hours - Morning muster and inspection.

7:45 AM/0745 Hours - Breakfast

8:15 AM/0815 Hours -Hands-on activity, “Gun Drill!”

8:45 AM/0845 Hours – Live-firing presentation with 20-pounder Parrott rifle; final words; depart ship; overview of activity

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WHAT'S ON THE MENU?

SUPPER
(Which is the evening meal)
Beef Stew
(Vegetarian “stew” is always available for vegetarians)
Hardtack, Ship’s Biscuit or Ship’s Bread
Hardtack from the G.H. Bent Company, hardtack supplier to the Union Army – Ship’s Biscuit from Purity of Newfoundland, providers of ship’s biscuit since the 1840s – Bread supplied by local bakeries
Dried Fruits
Dried raisins, apples, bananas, apricots, figs & prunes - essential aspects of mid-19th century naval cuisine & regularity
Fruit Punch/Water
It is the same water now as it was then.

BREAKFAST
(Which is the morning meal)
Biscuits & Peanut Butter
Oatmeal
Bacon
Dried Fruit
Orange Juice
This uncommon-to-Civil War-sailors treat is provided for contemporary taste buds
Coffee
(for adults only)
Brewed strong to enable landsmen to be brave & to do what needs doing.

Please, notify us in advance of the event if you have any special dietary requirements (Vegetarians and persons with allergies, SPEAK UP!). Email: vince@ghostscience.net
Menu is subject to change without notice. Sorry - No grog!

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DIRECTIONS

To The Ship!

Directions and suggestions for parking

From New York New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and points north, via I – 95
1) Take I – 95 South to Baltimore.
2) Take exit 53, marked DOWNTOWN/I – 395.
3) Turn right at PRATT ST.– a one way street.
4) Parking garages on SOUTH ST. or GAY ST.., left turns.

From Washington, D.C., and points south via I – 95
1) Take I – 95 North to Baltimore.
2) Take exit 53 marked DOWNTOWN/I – 395.
3) Turn right at PRATT ST. – a one way street.

From Pennsylvania via I – 83
1) Take the I – 83 South to Baltimore. Follow I – 83 until expressway ends in Baltimore City. Expressway becomes PRESIDENT ST.
2) Turn right on LOMBARD ST.
3) Parking garages on SOUTH ST. (left turn off LOMBARD ST.) or on GAY ST (left on SOUTH ST., left on PRATT ST., left on GAY ST.)

From Frederick/Hagerstown via I – 70
1) Take I – 70 East to I – 695 South (towards I – 95/ Glen Burnie)
2) Take I – 95 North towards Baltimore
3) Follow directions above for travel via I – 95 North from Washington.

DROP OFF POINT: Students may be dropped off with chaperones in front of the PRATT STREET PAVILION (south side of Pratt Street, opposite the Renaissance Motel and between Light and Commerce Streets) or in the National Aquarium Bus Loop (just to the east of the museum opposite Gay Street).

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RESERVATIONS

MYSTERIOUS MARYLAND is proud to present one of out most inexpensive overnights to date! All the above for just $100!!