Fells Point in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Chesapeake Campaign & The War of 1812

Fell's Point National Register Historic District and Ft. McHenry National Monument

Photographed By Don Morfe, June 25, 2011

1. The Chesapeake Campaign & The War of 1812 Marker

Inscription.

The Chesapeake Campaign and The War of 18 12. Fell's Point National Register Historic District and Ft. McHenry National Monument. A “nest of pirates”, that’s what the British admiralty once dubbed Baltimore’s historic Fell’s Point, then one of the most important shipbuilding centers in the nation and the home port of courageous privateers who sailed speed Chesapeake Bay pilot boat schooners, to assure American freedom on the seas.

Privateers had government licenses called “Letters of Marque and Reprisal,” authorizing the capture of enemy merchant ships as “prizes” for their owners. These privately-owned, armed schooners ran blockades, harassed British convoys, and captured merchant ships, actions that caused great frustration and financial loss.

122 Fell’s Point privateers captured more than 500 British ships, wrought havoc on British trade, and secured millions of dollars in prizes. Their audacity and success caused the British to attack the city in 1814, only to be turned away at the Battle of Baltimore and Fort McHenry.

“The Star-Spangled Banner” Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is home to two of America’s most powerful symbols-the National Anthem and the American Flag. It was here in 1814, at the height of the War of 18 12, that this embattled garrison held off a massive bombardment and attempted invasion by a British naval fleet---and defended a greater prize-Baltimore

Francis Scott Key, who witnessed the attack, was so overjoyed to see the flag still flying “by the dawn’s early light” that he wrote the “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Hop on a water taxi and visit the Fort to take part in the twice-a-day Flag Change, where you can help fold or hoist the flag right where the original flagpole stood. As you stand on the ramparts of the Fort looking down toward the Bay, you stand at the crossroads of history.

Chesapeake Connection , For the Chesapeake Bay’s ship owners and their crews, privateering was a risky business, but also lucrative. Owners fronted as much as $40,000 ($643,000 in today’s dollars) to build and outfit a privateer. However, if a privateer captured several enemy vessels on a single voyage, the return could be as much as five times that initial investment. . This historical marker is in Fells Point in Baltimore Maryland

A “nest of pirates”—that’s what the British admiralty once dubbed Baltimore’s historic Fell’s Point, then one of the most important shipbuilding centers in the nation and the home port of courageous privateers who sailed speed Chesapeake Bay pilot boat schooners, to assure American freedom on the seas.

“The Star-Spangled Banner” Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is home to two of America’s most powerful symbols-the National Anthem and the American Flag. It was here

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in 1814, at the height of the War of 1812, that this embattled garrison held off a massive bombardment and attempted invasion by a British naval fleet---and defended a greater prize-Baltimore

Francis Scott Key, who witnessed the attack, was so overjoyed to see the flag still flying “by the dawn’s early light” that he wrote the “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Chesapeake Connection
For the Chesapeake Bay’s ship owners and their crews, privateering was a risky business, but also lucrative. Owners fronted as much as $40,000 ($643,000 in today’s dollars) to build and outfit a privateer. However, if a privateer captured several enemy vessels on a single voyage, the return could be as much as five times that initial investment.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.

Location. 39° 16.908′ N, 76° 35.586′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Fells Point. Marker is at the intersection of Thames Street and Broadway on

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Thames Street. The marker is located in the Fell's Point Section of Baltimore, MD. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baltimore MD 21231, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fells Point (a few steps from this marker); On Thursday, September 18, 2003 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Fells Point (a few steps from this marker); 1630 Shakespeare Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 1632 Shakespeare Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Waterfront Hotel Restaurant (within shouting distance of this marker); 1627 Shakespeare Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1628 Shakespeare Street (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 696 times since then and 31 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on November 12, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.