Against the Odds

Against the Odds. Star-Spangled Banner National Trail. Both a squadron of the British navy and severe weather challenged the famed Chesapeake Flotilla off Cedar Point on June 1, 1814. The modest fleet of armed barges was assembled by Joshua Barney to harass British ships. With an inadequate professional navy in the War of 18 12, Barney's flotilla was the best hope for disrupting British operations on the Bay. After advancing on the superior British squadron, the flotilla escaped into the Patuxent and became trapped by enemy ships. , "...with a fresh wind, Squally and Rain...we doubled round cedar point...my Barges rowed down upon [the schooners] and gave them a number of shot at long distance. We then gave up the chase." -- Commodore Joshua Barney to Secretary of Navy William Jones, June 3, 1814. , Hazardous Duty , Barney's 500 flotillamen were a hardy -- perhaps foolhardy -- lot. They rowed into battle fully exposed to enemy fire and the elements. Cramped side-by-side, they rowed feverishly, muscles aching from maneuvering 50- and 75-foot barges,and jolted from guns fired onboard. Drenching rains and churning waters assaulted them off Cedar Point. Amazingly there were no casualties in the skirmish.