Rock Hall in Kent County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Diversion
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
— War of 1812 —
Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015
1. A Diversion Marker
Inscription.
A Diversion. Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail. 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.
(Inscription under the image on the left) , Frigate HMS Menelaus by Lt. William Innes Pocock. Image/National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London.
(Inscription under the image in the upper right) , Peter Parker by John Hoppner, c. 1808-10. Image National Maritime Museum Greenwich, London
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.
(Inscription under the image on the left) Frigate HMS Menelaus by Lt. William Innes Pocock. Image/National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London.
(Inscription under the image in the upper right) Peter Parker by John Hoppner, c. 1808-10. Image National Maritime Museum Greenwich, London
Erected by National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed
Location. 39° 8.562′ N, 76° 15.102′ W. Marker is in Rock Hall, Maryland, in Kent County. Marker 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.
2. A Diversion Marker with the water in the background
Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015
3. Farm house on the Osprey Point property
Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015
4. Barn with 15 star U.S. flag next to the Farm house.
Photographed By Don Morfe, January 30, 2015
5. A sign at the entrance to the Osprey Point property
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 July 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 434 times since then and 13 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.
