The Ark of Hungerford Creek

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 30, 2019

1. The Ark of Hungerford Creek Marker

Inscription.
The Ark of Hungerford Creek has its origin thousands of miles away in Stettin, Germany, with the construction in 1906 of passenger liner Kronprinzessin Cecilie for the North German Lloyd company. After a number of transatlantic voyages the ship was interned in the United States after the outbreak of World War I in 1914, eventually becoming the troop transport USS Mount Vernon. In 1927, the Mount Vernon was laid-up in the Patuxent River and, together with other ex-German passenger liners, formed the so-called "Ghost Fleet."

Around 1935, Episcopal minister Rev. Benjamin B. Lovett acquired this lifeboat from the Mount Vernon and had it hauled ashore at his weekend retreat on nearby Hungerford Creek. It was his idea to create a miniature biblical ark by building a house on the lifeboat with a chapel in the bow section. A guest room occupied the rest of the boat. It was known as "Faith Chapel–The Ark," and a number of baptisms and a wedding were performed onboard.

Shortly before Rev. Lovett's death in 1943, the property was sold. Successive owners maintained the Ark for storage and as an office. It remained a feature

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and curiosity on the shores of Hungerford Creek until 2016, when it was moved to the museum. A more complete history can be found on the museum's website. Funding for this project was provided in part by Preservation Maryland and the Maryland Historical Trust.

Erected by Calvert Marine Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • War, World I • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 19.824′ N, 76° 27.86′ W. Marker was in Solomons, Maryland, in Calvert County. It could be reached from Solomons Island Road South (Maryland Route 2) south of Thomas Johnson Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 14200 Solomons Island Road South, Solomons MD 20688, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Southern Maryland.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay

<i>The Ark of Hungerford Creek</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 30, 2019

2. The Ark of Hungerford Creek

Region.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named The Ark of Hungerford Creek (here, next to this marker); Waterman's Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Drum Point Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Founders of the Calvert Marine Museum (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Volunteer (about 300 feet away); Sewell Draketail Workboat (about 400 feet away); Built for Work — Built for Pleasure (about 400 feet away); Benning Crab Skiff (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Solomons.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 370 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.