Ship At Inner Harbor Taking Visitors On Voyage Through History
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A look back to centuries ago. A floating museum docked at Baltimore's Inner Harbor on Friday. Experts say it's an exact replica of the first ship to ever sail from England to what was then the Province of Maryland.
The ship is called the Maryland Dove. The name is appropriate because of the historic ties to the state.
It's not the original, but a replica of the first-ever ship to sail from England to Maryland in the early 1600s.
On Friday, her comparatively small stature still managed to draw lots of attention at the Inner Harbor.
"It's amazing. It's like you went back in time, just looking at it," said visitor Winnie Chan.
"The more kids can interact with things of historical significance, the better they will understand that time period," said Kristi Kattapong.
The ship is about 57-feet long, and it's thought that on the original voyage back in the 1600s, there were about seven crew members. The hope is that when people step onto the vessel, they will be taken back into history.
"That is the number one reaction is, 'Oh my gosh, how small this is,' and, 'I really don't think I would be comfortable crossing an ocean.' Times were really different then," said William Gates, captain.
The nonprofit Sail Baltimore arranged for the ship to dock at the Inner Harbor for a few days, allowing for free educational tours -- especially for kids. Over the next week, the captain expects thousands of people will come aboard.
"They need hands-on experience. You've got to bring them on, see it, touch and feel to feel like, 'Hey, this is what it used to be,'"said Chan.
Even though visitors will be able to tour the ship over the next few days, the times will change. Free public tour hours will be as follows:
Saturday 8/20: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday 8/21: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday 8/22: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday 8/23: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday 8/24: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday 8/25: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday 8/26: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday 8/27: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday 8/28: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Last month, three Japanese warships docked in Baltimore. And this October, U.S. and Canadian vessels will come to town for Fleet Week.