Privateers in the War of 1812

Privateers in the War of 18 12. Fells Point National Register Historic District. , At the time of the War of 18 12, Fells Poitn was an important shipbuilding center and the home port of privateers who had government licenses, "Letters of Marque and Reprisal," that authorized them to attack enemy merchant ships. These privately-owned, armed schooners ran blockades, harassed British convoys, and captured merchant ships., It is estimated that as many as 20 percent of privateer crews were Black. One free Black sailor was George Roberts, a gunner on the celebrated privateer Chasseur. Roberts participated in several battles while at sea in 1814 and later, proudly partook in Baltimore's annual Defenders Day parade for War of 18 12 veterans until his death at 95., During the three-year conflict, 122 Fells Point privateers captured more than 500 British ships, wrought havoc on British trade, and secured millions of dollars in prizes. Their success caused the British to attack the city in 1814, only to be turned away during the Battle of Baltimore., [Sidebar:] , Many Baltimore locations are part of the War of 18 12 story, including Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, the Pride of Baltimore II, Patterson Park, the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House and Museum, and the Maryland Center for History and Culture, just to name a few! Visit these sites, as well as others throughout the Chesapeake, along the Star-Spangled Banner national Historic Trail., Learn more: www.nps.gov/stsp, [Captions:] , The 25-hour bombardment of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore inspired the words that later became the US national anthem., The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House features exhibits and programs about the household of women who made the flag the Star-Spangled Banner.