Realizing the British were probably coming to their city sooner or later, Baltimore’s people began to fortify the huge earthen fort protecting their city.  Fort McHenry was built after the Revolution, but it would be the War of 1812 that would define this place as an icon of American history. 

On September 13, 1814, the British launched an attack on the city of Baltimore.  For twenty five hours the Royal Navy, under the command of Admiral Cochrane, pounded away at the Americans, but they could not penetrate the city’s defenses or do much damage to Fort McHenry. Unable to subdue the installation, the British Fleet disengaged their land and naval forces on September 14th to repair and regroup before setting their sights on southern waters and the city of New Orleans.  As most American schoolchildren learn by an early age, Francis Scott Key upon seeing our national colors still flying above the fort from his vantage point on a truce ship in the Patapsco River was inspired to author the “Defense of Fort McHenry,” This poem, set to an the old English drinking song, would eventually become known as “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Thankfully, Baltimore has done all it can to preserve its remarkable history and rich maritime tradition. You can board the beautiful USS Constellation, the last all-sail warship built in America, and tour Fort McHenry National Park.  But what I would suggest is that you travel by way of water taxi to Fells Point, and explore this lively revitalized eighteenth and nineteenth century neighborhood.

As soon as your feet hit the cobblestones you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the days when the British called this city a “Nest of Pirates”.  On a quiet corner just a short stroll up from the bustling waterfront lays the Wharf Rat.  You don’t need a hyperactive imagination to picture yourself alongside your fellow shipmates walking into this place after a long and prosperous passage on the high seas. This community institution doesn’t serve up grog, but it does feature its own selection of superbly crafted locally brewed English style beers. And the eclectic crew that frequents this pub does seem to conjure up images of “Treasure Island.”




THE WHARF RAT BAR, a Fells Point fixture is filled with maritime artifacts and nautical memorabilia.  Every available nook and cranny is adorned with some sort of dust-covered trinket from years gone by.  It’s almost as though sailors who have sailed from the Spanish Main, round Cape Horn and back again have all brought a prized possession found somewhere along their voyage to be proudly displayed in the tavern they call home.  Have Baltimore’s pirates, excuse me . . . privateers, left a little bit of booty behind as payment for a long night of celebrating after another successful sacking?