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

A Diversion

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

A Diversion Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

1. A Diversion Marker

Inscription. Captain Peter Parker arrived at Swan Creek in the HMS Menelaus August 20, 1814. The British had terrorized towns in the Upper Bay all summer, but Parker came with a special mission---to divert attention from a strike against the U.S. Capital. While Parker raided Rock Hall, the main British force began its march to Washington from Southern Maryland.

Ravaging Storm
Parker’s squadron was still anchored off Rock Hall August 25 when the fierce storm that doused the smoldering Capitol Building and White House wreaked across the Bay. The British lost a supply of weapons when the vessel Mary capsized at Swan Point.

“The enemy passed…(Rock Hall) early in the morning up the bay, and proceeded above Pool’s Island, where they…sent their barge out in all directions, both in the Western and Eastern Shores.”
Baltimore Federal Gazette, July 15, 1814.

Erected 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 date for this entry is July 15, 1836.

Location. 39° 8.562′ N, 76° 15.102′ W. Marker is in

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Rock Hall, Maryland, in Kent County. It is on Rock Hall Avenue. The marker is located on the grounds of the Osprey Point Inn*Restaurant*Marina. 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 walking distance of this marker: Gratitude (approx. 0.4 miles away); Red Nun #6 (approx. half a mile away); Attracted By Bounty (approx. 0.6 miles away); Right Place, Right Time (approx. 0.6 miles away); Bounty Below (approx. 0.6 miles away); Rock Hall Landing (approx. ¾ mile away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away); Captain Lambert Wickes (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rock Hall.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Stanley B. Vansant Memorial (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been permanently removed).

A Diversion Marker with the water in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

2. A Diversion Marker with the water in the background

Farm house on the Osprey Point property image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

3. Farm house on the Osprey Point property

Barn with 15 star U.S. flag next to the Farm house. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

4. Barn with 15 star U.S. flag next to the Farm house.

A sign at the entrance to the Osprey Point property image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, January 30, 2015

5. A sign at the entrance to the Osprey Point property

Peter Parker by John Hoppner, circa 1808-10 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by UK National Maritime Museum

6. Peter Parker by John Hoppner, circa 1808-10

National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Greenwich Hospital Collection

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 668 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 5, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 6. submitted on January 17, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.