The year is 1860.
It is night off the coast of Africa.
The wind is low and most of the sailors of the USS Constellation are below deck. They will not run down any slave smugglers in the lull.
While the USS Constellation is no longer involved in capturing illegal slave ships, it provides a glimpse into history.
“The most important part of her [the ship?s] history was just before the Civil War,” museum Director Christopher Rowsom said. “She captured three slave ships ? one had more than 700 slaves on board.”
A distinct part of the Baltimore City?s Inner Harbor skyline and ambiance, the last all-sail warship?s three masts loft over the water at Pier 1.
The USS Constellation serves as a museum in and of itself.
Visitors board the 179-foot vessel and are free to explore all four decks. Admission includes a 45-minute audio tour.
“The most popular part of the ship is down below, especially for the kids,” Rowsom said. “They like to know when they are below the waterline.”
Another hot spot is the gun deck with its 17 guns. The crew fires one of the guns ? with blank rounds ? once at noon on weekdays and twice at noon and 4 p.m. on weekends.
The Constellation was refurbished and restored in 1999. When it leaves dock, it goes under tug power to Fort McHenry.
The admission and private donations keeps the ship afloat, Rowsom said.
IF YOU GO
» WHAT: USS Constellation Museum
» WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day
» WHERE: 301 E. Pratt St., Pier 1, Baltimore
» ADMISSION: Adults $7; youth ages 6 to 14 $3; seniors 60 and older and military personnel $5; teachers and children 5 and younger free
» INFO: 410-539-1797 or constellation.org
