Havre de Grace in Harford County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

River Crossing

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

— War of 1812 —

River Crossing Marker image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, January 16, 2015

1. River Crossing Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Little evidence remains of what was once the northernmost navigable deep-water port on the Susquehanna River. The “Upper Ferry” crossed between here and Port Deposit.

When the British attacked May 3, 1813, they helped themselves to a barrel of whiskey from John Stump’s warehouse, then torched the building with its 500 barrels of flour.

Day of Terror
In one day, British raiders burned two-thirds of the building in Havre de Grace, raided a warehouse here, and destroyed the Principio Iron Works. Port Deposit—its battery visible from the water—was spared.

(Inscription under the painting in the upper left)
A Ferry Scene on the Susquehanna at Wright’s Ferry, near Havre de Grace, ca. 1811 by Pavel Petrovich Svomom-Image by the Metropolitian Museum of Art.

“The Boats which I sent up the Susquehanna returned after destroying five vessels in it and a large Store of Flour, when everything being completed to my utmost wishes, the whole division re-embarked and returned to the Ships…”
-British Rear Adm. George Cockburn to Adm. John B. Warren, May 3, 1813.

Erected by

By Don Morfe, January 16, 2015

2. River Crossing Marker

Close up of the map on the River Crossing marker-A map of the Head of Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River by C.P. Hauducoeur (1799) Image courtesy of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Central Library, State Library Center, Baltimore.

National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series list.

Location. 39° 35.862′ N, 76° 7.686′ W. Marker is in Havre de Grace, Maryland, in Harford County. Marker is on Lapidum Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Havre de Grace MD 21078, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jacob Tome, Town Father (approx. 0.8 miles away); On Alert (approx. 0.8 miles away); Snow's Battery (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named Snow’s Battery (approx. 0.8 miles away); John A. J. Creswell (approx. 0.8 miles away); Gerry House (approx. 0.8 miles away); The River Town (approx. 0.8 miles away); Bainbridge Naval Training Center (approx. 0.9 miles away).

By Don Morfe, January 16, 2015

3. River Crossing Marker

Note: Port Deposit MD is across the river.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 278 times since then. Last updated on November 12, 2020, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 17, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.