Founding of Fell's Point predates the creation of Baltimore City
Sister Lindsay and I accompanied by another senior missionary couple, Elder & Sister Clasen, spent the last full day of our mission exploring the historic Fells Point area of the Baltimore. It was a beautiful yet somewhat chilly day with a steady wind blowing from the north. We had a wonderful time meandering along the old city streets, some of them are still cobblestones, while browsing in many of the interesting shops that are found throughout this old community.
Founded in 1730 by William Fell, the town of Fell's Point became a shipbuilding and commercial center that grew quickly, and eventually incorporated with neighboring Baltimore Town and Jones Town in 1797 to form the City of Baltimore. Some of the first vessels commissioned for the US Navy were built in Fell's Point shipyards, including the original USS Constellation in 1797, which was the first U. S. Navy vessel to put to sea and to engage and defeat an enemy ship (the original Constellation was decommissioned in 1853 in Norfolk, Virginia). The second USS Constellation, which was completed in 1858 in Norfolk, is the last surviving Civil War sailing ship still afloat and is now permanently anchored in Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
Elder & Sister Lindsay in Fell's Point
Fell's Point, however, became best known for producing topsail schooners known as Baltimore Clippers and the skipjack, a traditional sailing fishing boat used for oyster dredging in the Chesapeake Bay. During the War of 1812, Fell's Point built and supported dozens of privateers who preyed on British shipping vessels. Thus, Baltimore became a principal target of the British during the war, which eventually led to the bombardment of Fort McHenry.
When we weren't walking from place to place during the day, we were riding the Charm City Circulator, a free bus service that conveniently operates on a frequent schedule over three connecting inner-city routes. Before we left for home on the light rail train, we completed our day long fun adventure with the Clasens by having dinner with them at Amicci's, a nice restaurant in Little Italy located between Fell's Point and Inner Harbor.
No comments:
Post a Comment