Havre de Lafayette

Be grateful Lafayette didn't name this harbor after himself. The Marquis's full name was about 8 names long! The Marquis knew that wouldn't fly, even though he thought the Harbor was lovely. So, it was, and is. So it is Havre de Grace.

The Lighthouse on the Waterfront

This iconic lighthouse is a beacon to travelers coming up Chesapeake Bay. The entrance to Havre de Grace is shallow and today it is made passable with frequent dredging. The Lighthouse provided a useful beacon for the best entrance channel.

The town suffered, along with its neighbors, during the War of 1812 when Admiral Gorge Cockburn conducted a burn and destroy mission in the spring of 1813 of several northern Chesapeake Bay towns and industries.

The townspeople fired cannon and muskets at the British, but were overwhelmed.

John O'Neill was captured. His 15-year old daughter, Matilda, met with Admiral Cockburn and plead for his release. The Admiral was again so taken by this young lady's bravery that he returned her father to her. He also gave her a tortoise-shell box. Given his behavior towards our Georgetown Sassy Lady, Kitty Knight, the Admiral clearly had a soft spot for passionate young ladies.

But he didn't spare Havre de Grace or any of the other surrounding towns. The British used many of the same weapons as were employed on Fort McHenry in Baltimore.

The British also destroyed important industries, such as the nearby Principio Iron Foundry.

Once the War ended in 1814, unlike Samuel Hughes who owned the Foundry, Havre de Grace recovered. The white lighthouse was built after the War. The region prospered with trade down the Bay and through the newly opened Chesapeake & Delaware Canal to the east.

Today, the waterfront is a place for reflection, contemplation, artwork and nature.

Fish within a Fish

And the view at dawn.

Next, we head up the Elk River to the C&D Canal.

Cheers,

Brio