Baltimore, MD

We visited Fort McHenry in Baltimore, MD.  During the war of 1812, the British ships bombarded Fort McHenry in an effort to get through to Baltimore.  The battle raged on all night.  In the early morning, Francis Scott Key looked out and saw that the American flag was still flying over the fort.  The swell of pride and relief that the fort did not fall into enemy hands was the inspiration for Key who penned the words that eventually became the U. S. national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. 

They have a lovely presentation film at the visitor's center that tells the story of the battle and the writing of the song.  At the end of the film, the screen rolls up as the Star Spangled Banner plays.  Once the screen is removed, the view of the fort and the flag flying over the fort if revealed.  It is quite a moving experience.

During our visit to Baltimore, we also had the opportunity to tour some ships that were anchored in the habor.  The first one was a wooden frigate from 1797, known as the U.S.S. Constellation.  This ship had 38 cannons.  The ship has been restored and is open for tours.  The ceilings were so low that we had to stoop over a little, and they got lower each deck that you went down. 

Cannons at the ready. 

Captain's bathtub, drained out into the sea

Captain's quarters

Hammocks hanging from the upped deck, rows and rows of them.

Bottom of the ship, ballast, supplies and the brig.

We also toured a Cost Guard ship, the U.S.C. G.C. Taney.  It was the last survivor of Pearl Harbor.  This was kind of cool for us because Dave's dad served in the Coast Guard in the 1950s.