Piney Point in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Piney Point Lighthouse
The Potomac Flotilla
In 1861, the U.S. created the Potomac Flotilla (gunboats and other armed vessels) to patrol the river and intercept Confederate blockade runners. Nevertheless, St. Mary's County residents frequently ferried supplies and men across to Virginia. A Unionist steamboat captain noted the difficulties the Federal navy faced:
"I was coming up the river on Wednesday last: a flag was raised on Piney Point Lighthouse and I went in. Mrs. Marshall, the keeper of the light, wished me to report that five or six loads of rebels crossed the river into Virginia with provisions, etc.; that there was $10,000 worth of goods, ammunition, clothing, etc., in the woods just above the lighthouse to be carried over. Men came to her every day and asked her if any of the U.S. cutters were about, and told her she had better keep away as they intended to destroy the lighthouse. The rebels have a small steamer in the creek just above Ragged Point which they brought from Fredericksburg."
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On November 11, 1864, U.S.S. Tulip, a two-year-old gunboat, left the Potomac Flotilla base at St. Inigoes for the navy shipyards in Washington, D.C. to repair her starboard steam boiler. Although her captain had been ordered not to use the boiler, he fired it up to hurry past Confederate forces on the Virginia shore. At 6:20 p.m., passing Piney Point Lighthouse, the boiler exploded, and the gunboat sank immediately. Only 10 crewmen of 57 survived. In 1994, Maryland Maritime Archaeology Program divers located the wreck, beginning two years of artifact recovery.
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Piney Point Lighthouse and Bell Tower, circa 1900 - Courtesy of St. Mary's County Museum Division
U.S.S. Tulip and her sister ship, Fuchsia, illustrated here, were built by master shipwright James C. Jewitt in New York City in 1862. They were described as "having all the modern appliances of warships." - Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Historical Center
Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses, and the Maryland Civil War Trails series lists.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 8.154′ N, 76° 31.748′ W. Marker was in Piney Point, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. Marker could be reached from Lighthouse Road (County Route 498) 1.4 miles east of Piney Point Road (County Route 249), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 44720 Lighthouse Rd, Piney Point MD 20674, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Potomac River Military Testing (here, next to this marker); Bay Lights (here, next to this marker); Osprey (here, next to this marker); Map of Lower Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Piney Point Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Piney Point Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); The Lighthouse Keeper's Quarters (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Piney Point Lighthouse (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Piney Point.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "Piney Point Lighthouse".
Also see . . . Piney Point Light. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 6, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,168 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on December 19, 2021, by Sean C Bath of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 9, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 3, 4. submitted on May 4, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.