Pasadena in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Observing the Enemy
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
In 1814, British vessels combing the Chesapeake had a good view of the Bodkin, too. On August 24, a lookout on the HMS Menelaus spotted a "fine schooner," behind Bodkin Point. The Royal Marines reported they destroyed the Lion of Baltimore.
[text with flags, lower right] A signal system, such as these 1806 merchant flags, communicated between Bodkin Point and Baltimore. Americans likely used a similar system to warn of British movements during the war.
Local Militia Captain Francis Hancock, master of Hancock's Resolution Plantation, commanded a company in the 22nd Regiment, Maryland Militia. The company's duties included observation of enemy movements south of the mouth of the Patapsco.
[text with map, upper left] Bodkin Point had a clear view of North Point, as indicated in the 1819 survey chart - one of the last to show Bodkin as a separate island.
"...on the 24th inst. Lieut. Warre with two Boats burnt a Schooner in Narrows creek close to Bodkin point." - Captain Sir Peter Parker to Vice Admiral Alexander F.I. Cochrane, August 30, 1814
[text with picture, at bottom] HMS Menelaus, by Lt. William Innes Pocock. Image/National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Erected 2014 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War of 1812 • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.
Location. 39° 8.121′ N, 76° 26.92′ W. Marker is in Pasadena, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. Marker is on Bayside Beach Road, 2.3 miles east of Fort Smallwood Road (Route 173), on the right when traveling east. Marker is in front of the Hancock's Resolution Park, just outside the front gate. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pasadena MD 21122, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Captain John Smith (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hancock's Resolution (about 500 feet away); A Lighthouse Crumbles (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Tonkaway (approx. 1.7 miles away); Veterans of Foreign Wars (approx. 1.7 miles away); Kids on the Farm (approx. 1.8 miles away); Improvements on the Bayfront (approx. 1.8 miles away); Mother's Garden (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pasadena.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2014, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 520 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 1, 2014, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.