The first tall ship approaches the Inner Harbor, a towering, majestic sight
BAP Unión, the largest sailing vessel in Latin America, arrives for the Sail250 celebration
Above: With Harbor Point and Canton in the background, the tall ship BAP Union heads toward a week of public viewing at the Inner Harbor. (Fern Shen)
Featuring a mast height of over 175 feet, Peru’s BAP Unión was towed into place this afternoon through smoky harbor drizzle – the first of many tall ship to arrive in Baltimore for the Sail250 Maryland celebration, which kicks off tomorrow.
Named after a famously swift warship that evaded blockades in the 1879-83 War of the Pacific, the training vessel was completed for the Peruvian Navy in 2015 and is considered the largest sailing ship in Latin America.
It was photographed (above and below) passing the Harborview Marina on Key Highway prior to docking today at the Inner Harbor’s west wall, where it will be on display, open to the public, through Monday.
The ship is one of more than two dozen sailing ships and historic vessels coming to the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Thames Street Maritime Park, Baltimore Peninsula and Tide Point for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S.
All events, including tours of the boats and an airshow on Saturday and Sunday featuring the Blue Angels and other flying squadrons, are free of charge.
When not on goodwill tours, the 378-foot-long BAP Union is used as a training vessel for the Peruvian Navy, housing 250 officers and sailors. (Fern Shen)