Rock Hall in Kent County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Captain Lambert Wickes

Photographed by William Pfingsten, October 18, 2007

1. Captain Lambert Wickes Marker

Inscription. One of senior officers of Continental Navy in opening years of Revolutionary War. Noted for his daring raids on British shipping. In his Sloop of War Reprisal he took Benjamin Franklin to France in 1776. Was first American Naval Officer in European waters after Declaration of Independence. Born near here on Eastern Neck Island, c 1735. He was lost with his ship in storm off Newfoundland October 1, 1777. Franklin called him “a gallant officer, and a very worthy man.”

Erected 1976 by Citizens of Rock Hall.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is October 1, 1777.

Location. 39° 8.316′ N, 76° 14.081′ W. Marker is in Rock Hall, Maryland, in Kent County. It is at the intersection of Maryland Route 20 and Main Street ( Route 445), on the right when traveling west on Maryland Route 20. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rock Hall MD 21661, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rock Hall, Maryland (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rock Hall Landing (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bounty Below (approx. ¾ mile

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

away); Attracted By Bounty (approx. ¾ mile away); Right Place, Right Time (approx. ¾ mile away); A Diversion (approx. one mile away); Gratitude (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rock Hall.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Stanley B. Vansant Memorial (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Captain Lambert Wickes and “Gunboat Diplomacy, American Revolution Style”. Journal of the American Revolution website entry (Submitted on April 22, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Wickliffe on Eastern Neck Island. Website with additional photos and information about this marker and a related one on Eastern Neck Island nearby. (Submitted on March 4, 2026, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,860 times since then and 73 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on October 20, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.