During the first challenge along the Star-Spangled Banner GeoTrail, over 400 first edition SSB geocoins were awarded. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the Star-Spangled Banner GeoTour. We are currently out of geocoins but stay tuned for other opportunities along the Star-Spangled Banner GeoTour!
Please note that the cache is **NOT** at the posted coordinates. This cache is only accessible when the museum is open. You do not need to pay admission to locate the cache.
Come on a journey to remember and commemorate the dramatic chain of events, people and places that led to the birth of our National Anthem.
The story of the Star-Spangled Banner was shaped by the events of the Chesapeake Campaign during the War of 1812. From February 1813 until February 1815, the Chesapeake Bay was the center of a fierce struggle between the British and Americans. Places and landscapes still exist today that provide a touchstone to the past. The trail traces events and related sites that figured prominently in the Chesapeake Campaign of the War of 1812 that have national significance, physical integrity, and the potential for contemporary recreation and interpretation.
The community of Solomons (also called Solomon's Island, referred to as Somervell's Island at the time of the War of 1812) is located at the convergence of the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay in southern Maryland. Calvert Marine Museum features interpretive displays that tell of the story of the War of 1812 in the southern Chesapeake Bay, including artifacts recovered from a vessel of the United States Chesapeake Flotilla, scuttled by the Americans above Pig Point on the Patuxent. Interesting items include surgical implements, stoneware, lantern and padlocks. The Museum also features an electric map of the British invasion route up the Patuxent River.
The creation of a United States Chesapeake Flotilla was largely the inspiration of Revolutionary War hero Joshua Barney, who came out of retirement to propose the idea in 1813. He envisioned a flying squadron of twenty shallow draft barges, built to defend Chesapeake Bay from British incursions. Outfitted and ready to sail by late spring 1814, the Flotilla departed from Baltimore to engage the better-equipped British fleet. Several clashes would occur over the next few months, including battles at Cedar Point and St. Leonard’s Creek in June. Barney’s hit and run tactics proved frustrating to the British, who retaliated by brutally burning and plundering communities along the Patuxent River.
In the end, Barney was unable to elude his Royal Navy pursuers, who followed the Flotilla up the Patuxent in late summer 1814. Concerned that the collection of gunboats and barges might fall into British hands, Secretary of the Navy William Jones ordered Barney to sail as far north as Pig Point and then scuttle all the ships if the enemy approached. On August 22, 1814, the British Army and Navy came within view and Barney ordered the entire fleet destroyed. His men then marched with their cannon towards Washington, where they were to join the Battle of Bladensburg. It is the remains of one of these scuttled ships, which a visitor may see on a visit to the museum.
Visitors to the museum today can see many fascinating exhibits including displays on the history of Solomon’s Island and locally found fossils. There is also a Discovery room for kids and live otter located in an outside pool. In addition to a museum, the organization’s grounds are home to a marsh walk, woodcarving and model boat shop, drum point lighthouse and a century old bugeye buyboat, the Wm. B. Tennison.
Please note that the cache is **NOT** at the posted coordinates. The posted coordinates take you to a sign. You will need some information from the sign to solve the puzzle below.
The Calvert Marine Museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. This cache is only accessible when the museum is open.
Admission to the museum (you do not need to pay admission to seek the cache):
Adults: $7.00
Senior Citizens (55 and older): $6.00
Children ages 5 to 12: $2.00
Military: $6.00
Children under 5: Free
CMMS Members: Free
AAA: $6.00
For more information about Calvert Marine Museum please visit: www.calvertmarinemuseum.com
To find the cache, use the sign at the posted coordinates to solve the following puzzle.
|
| 9-1-3 |
16-3-2 |
22-2-5 |
| 17-3-3 |
8-1-2 |
23-2-5 |
| 3-1-6 |
18-1-1 |
19-2-4 |
| 21-1-3 |
4-1-1 |
12-1-5 |
| 15-1-1 |
7-1-2 |
21-1-3 |
| 10-2-5 |
11-3-4 |
11-2-6 |
| 14-2-1 |
10-1-1 |
13-3-9 |
| 2-3-7 |
20-2-5 |
9-2-4 |
| 25-1-7 |
Thanks to SeeKPeeKRs for helping with this hide and to the Maryland Geocaching Society for assisting with this project!