The Washington herald., 1914-01-11
Light SOUGHT ON
anthem BIRTH
Daniels Submits Report on
Ships IN Fort McHenry
Battle.
LOCATION OF THE MINDEN
Position Of Vessel On Which Key
Wrote the "Star-spansled Ban
ner" Matter Of Doubt.

In view of the discussion now going on
as to the exact location of Of Baltimore
the vessel on which Francis Scott Key
wrote ''The Star Spangled Banner" the
following letter written hy Secretary OF
the Navy Daniels to DR.. Bibbins. OF
Baltimore. is of interest:
I'm reply to your letter, in which
you ask for information regarding the
location of the cartel ship Minden, on
board which vessel Francis Scott Key
wrote "The Star Spangled Banner" i
have to inform you that nothing is found
which would probably add to the infor-
nation which you already possess
There are inclosed three papers copied
from the manuscript records of Commo-
dore John Rodgers. You will notice the
accounts of September Is and IA in the
report of Lieut.. Newcomb, which may
aid you in locating the position Of the
British vessels.
THE superintendent of Library and
Naval War Records has written to the
secretary Of the British Navy Records
Society to ascertain IL any sketches are
on file in the British Admiralty regard
ing the position of the Minden and other
vessels at Baltimore, and such informa-
tion as is received from England will be
forwarded to you.
1T appears from the ordnance books
that the range of the battery's a
FOUNDER was 1.S0o yards and the French
mortars 2,S0o yards 1t Is assumed that
these guns were in Fort McHenry or in
the shore barges- The range of the Eng
lish mortars. 10-inch and 13-inch, was
about 400 yards. or two and one-half
miles.
Was q Cartel Ship.
''As the Mindefr was a cartel ship. she
would not be expected to fire under any
circumstances, as her purpose was
merely for the transfer of prisoners, and
probably greater than that of the ves-
sells firing. Further, as the British
troops were landed on the eastern shore,
it is probable that the Minden was nearer
the eastern shore side of the Patapsco
River and somewhere about three miles
from Fort McHenry.
Trusting that the foregoing will aid
you to some extent, I am,
Sincerely yours,
"JosEPHUs DANIELS"
The Enclosures in the letter of Secre-
tary Daniels include the following re-
port of Lieut.. H. s. Newcomb to Com
modore Rodgers:
Saturday, September 1o.-10 p. m.-
Received information that the enemy
were coming up the bay in force.
Sunday, September u.-About 30 sails
hove in sight. Received orders to take
command of Fort Covington. with a de-
tachment of seamen-the soldiers all sick
with the fever and ague- At noon light
airs from the south. The headmost ship
of-war at anchor above Sparrows Point,
the transports and smaller vessels sew
eral tmiles below.
Monday, l2th.-Light airs from the
south and pleasant No visible alteration
during the night. The barges and small
vessels were very busy through the day.
20 p m.-The ships-of-war got under
way and came to about six miles below
Fort McHenry.
Tuesday, 13th.-At s a. m. five bomb
ships and ships-of-war got under way
and took their station in line abreast
Fort McHenry. distant two and three
quarter miles and three miles from Fort
Covington.
Bombardment Begun.
IS a. m.-Moderate breezes from the
south and east and hazy. The enemy
commenced the bombardment of Fort
McHenry, which was returned with shell
and shot, but as they all fell short, the
fort discontinued firing. while the enemy
continued to throw their shells with
great precision and effect
go. D. m.-Wind at the north and east,
with heavy showers of rain.
% p. m.-Fort McHenry recommended
firing, and by taking out the beds and
coins, threw the shot so well among the
bomb ships that three of them got un-
der way and ran out of gunshot and bonn
barded the fort more furiously than be-
fore.
10 p. m.-The enemies barges all in
motion; weather thick and hazy, with
frequent showers of rain.
"Wednesday. 14th.-The enemies small
vessels and barges were discovered by
their lights moving up the southwest
branch, the headmost abreast of Fort
Covington; commenced firing, which was
Immediately returned with shot, shells
and rockets. Fort Babcock Cor the six
gun battery now opened. The darkness
prevented our accurately distinguishing
their force. One bomb vessel was this
side the point, a schooner about half
way between her and Fort Covington,
and the barges number unknown, throw
ing Il IS and 24-pound shot Abreast
of US, our fire was directed at the head
mast; a few broadsides checked their
advance, when they concentrated nearly
abreast of us and continued their attack
on the batteries The decided superior
ity of our fire compelled them to retreat,
when they were met by a fire from Fort
McHenry, which, however, from the
darkness of the night, was soon discon-
tinued."
some Additional Reports.
The following reports were also an
nexcd:
Sir: I hereby report to you that the
battery with three long 1s-pounders at
the Lazaretto is fit for service, with 100
rounds and manned agreeably to your
orders Eight barges up with long eight
and four with long twelves and all with
rlnades. Eighteen manned and ready
for service. Three small barges. The
three large barges are at the Point yet
under the direction of the navy agent.
Men distributed as follows:
8 osryes. each "a men----...--.....--.--.. ~
small harves, each men-..-.............-.-. es
Men on board
In the battery.
Remaining at Lszarctto. u
Total tZl
Deserted, unfit for service. and sck............. 50
a
Lazaretto September IL 1874
soLN RUTTER,
Lieutenant q. s. Flotilla.
'-Sir: / hereby report to you the bat
20 r