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Locust Point Industrial Area in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Mortars vs. Guns

 
 
Mortars vs. Guns Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 15, 2008
1. Mortars vs. Guns Marker
Inscription.
When the British attacked in 1814, guns of this type – but larger – were fired from the ramparts and the water batteries near the riverbank. They kept the British warships from entering Baltimore Harbor, but they could not shoot far enough to hit the vessels that were hurling bombs at the fort.

According to the American Commander’s report, the British fired more than 1,500 bombs. These are the famous “bombs bursting in air” mentioned in our National Anthem. Displayed here are two which failed to explode. Fortunately, there were many duds and many misses, and the fort suffered little damage.

The gun tubes you see here are not known to have been at Fort McHenry during the bombardment. They are, however, authentic pieces from the War of 1812 period.
 
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable EventsWar of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Maryland, Fort McHenry series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.
 
Location. 39° 15.803′ N, 76° 34.792′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in the Locust Point Industrial Area. Marker can be reached from East Fort Avenue, on
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the right when traveling east. Marker is on grounds of Fort McHenry National Monument. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore MD 21230, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Commanding Officer’s Quarters (a few steps from this marker); In Full Glory Reflected (a few steps from this marker); Civil War Guardhouse (a few steps from this marker); British Bomb (a few steps from this marker); Providing For The Common Defense (a few steps from this marker); 1814 Enlisted Men's Barracks, No 2 (within shouting distance of this marker); Bombproofs (within shouting distance of this marker); Another Day on Duty… 1814 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
 
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Baltimore. HistoryCentral.com. (Submitted on August 30, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.) 

2. Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. National Park Service. (Submitted on August 30, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.) 
 
Marker in Fort McHenry image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 15, 2008
2. Marker in Fort McHenry
Magazine and Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 16, 2010
3. Magazine and Marker
The magazine is the barn like structure in the center. The marker is just to the right of the magazine.
Gun Tubes Display image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 15, 2008
4. Gun Tubes Display
Cannon similar to these were used at Fort McHenry during the September 13-14, 1814 Battle of Baltimore. Their range was too short to do any damage to the attacking British ships.
British Bomb image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 15, 2008
5. British Bomb
This bomb, fired at the fort by the British during the 1814 bombardment, failed to explode.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,569 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on August 30, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.   3. submitted on August 25, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.   4, 5. submitted on August 30, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.

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Mar. 18, 2024