Maryland, Anne Arundel County, Annapolis
Fort Severn and Fort Madison on this stretch of the Severn River, along with a gun battery at Horn Point in Eastport, made Annapolis the best-fortified city in Maryland at the start of the War of 1812.
British ships hovered near the harbor several times and even sounded the depths of the Severn. Although Annapolis residents stayed on high alert in fear of attack, the enemy opted for less well-defended targets.
(Inscription next to the sketch on the right)
Fort Nonsense (approximate site highlighted) is not named in the 1814 sketch by William Tatham, but the note describes its location.
No Nonsense
A circular earthwork called Fort Nonsense added to Annapolis defenses. Unlike the forts built along the shoreline to guard against naval attack, Fort Nonsense was on high round to protect Fort Madison from overland access.
(Inscription above the photo on the left)
The U.S. Naval Academy was built on the grounds of Fort Stevens in 1845. Fort or Battery Severn at Annapolis ca. 1860. Image/Pictorial Field-book of the War of 1812.
"Annapolis being fortified, a Station for Troops, and not to be approached by our larger Ships on Account of the Shallowness of the Water, it is…probable the Occupation of it might cost us some little Time…”
Rear Admiral George Cockburn to Vice Admiral Alexander F.I. Cochrane, July 17, 1814.
(War of 1812) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.