Fort McHenry Bombardment Relic
Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland
Marker Inscription
This bomb was fired from a British warship during the bombardment of Fort McHenry September 13 and 14,1814 and fell inside the fort it was presented to Michael Keyser by an officer of the fort. The rack on which it rests was used to bend bar iron so that it could be advantageously loaded into the old Conestoga wagons before wagon transportation, had been superseded by railroads.
Erected by Michael Keyser
The Story
This iron bomb was hurled from a British warship during the two-day bombardment of Fort McHenry on September 13-14, 1814, and fell inside the fort's walls. A defending officer later gave the spent shell to Michael Keyser as a relic of the battle that saved Baltimore. That same bombardment inspired Francis Scott Key to write the verses that became "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Why it matters
It is a tangible relic of the War of 1812 defense of Baltimore, the fight that gave rise to the national anthem.
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Related people
- · Michael Keyser
Related events
- · Bombardment of Fort McHenry
- · Battle of Baltimore
Themes & tags
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