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November 28, 2007 Football games at the US Naval Academy and US Military Academy are known for their pageantry and tradition. It is customary at both Annapolis and West Point to fire vintage cannons when the home team scores. Like march-ons, fly-overs and push-ups, the thundering volleys are part of what makes football at the military academies a memorable experience. Alas, the bowl construction of M&T Bank Stadium makes it impossible to accommodate cannons. Not only is sideline space very limited, but the blast would resonate in the stands like a sonic boom. So to carry out the tradition, and alert greater Baltimore to the gridiron glories taking place at M&T, the Maryland Stadium Authority has recruited some equally storied local artillery (and their very partisan gunnery crews) to step in and provide sound effects for the citywide Army-Navy celebration. When Navy scores on Saturday, the cannon on the foredeck of the USS Constellation, berthed at the Inner Harbor, will fire. The Constellation has a special place in Naval Academy history. For 22 years, during the late 19th century, the tall ship served as a training vessel for midshipmen in Annapolis. Today, the living museum is one of the most popular attractions in Baltimore. When Army scores, the garrison at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine will alert the harbor, much as they did when the British came calling during the War of 1812. It was the gallant defense of Fort McHenry during a 25-hour British bombardment in September 1814 that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen "The Star-Spangled Banner." It was designated as the only national monument and historic shrine in the country in 1939.
Baltimore is proud to host the Army-Navy game, and to have two of our favorite attractions demonstrating support for their respective services on deck and at the ramparts. The Constellation’s gun crew, consisting of sailors and marines, will be garbed in Civil War-era uniforms. The ship’s company will be firing a twenty pound Naval Parrott rifle. The Fort McHenry Guard, who perform many traditional military and ceremonial functions at Fort McHenry, will wear their traditional 1812 US Army uniforms. They are under the command of park ranger/lieutenant Jim Bailey and will be firing a six pound field gun, a replica of the kind used to defend the fort during the British attack. For further information call: James C. Bailey
Park Ranger - Volunteer Coordinator
Fort McHenry National Monument &Historic Shrine
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 962-4290 ex. 236 Stan Berry Director of Interpretation and Education USS Constellation (410) 539-1797 ex. 466 |
