The Statsraad Lehmkuhl’s visit comes as Norway celebrates 100 years of independence from Sweden. In 1976 it visited New York City to participate in the bicentennial of the United States. The ship also berthed in Norfolk in 2002.
On this voyage, the Statsraad Lehmkuhl is sailed by the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy's 1st year officer cadets, who are participating in leadership training and teambuilding exercises during the trip. The cadets also get a strong foundation of basic seamanship during their weeks onboard. Stripped of modern communication technology, the students are forced to work together to overcome the challenges and dangers of traveling the seas by sail. The Statsraad Lehmkuhl has been part of the basic training program since 2002, when the Royal Norwegian Navy began leasing the ship for several months every year.
The ship will made an unusual entry into Baltimore's harbor. As it made its final approach, the Naval cadets sang "shanties" from atop all the masts, greeting the city the same way sailors did a century ago. The masts are 144 feet tall.
This story was published on October 29, 2005.