Francis Scott Key Buoy

This photo was taken from my boat on our last Coast Guard Auxiliary patrol, but you don't have to be on the water to see it. If you're driving southbound over the Key Bridge, look into the harbor just to the right of the bridge. The red, white, and blue buoy marks "the spot where HMS Surprise was anchored the night of September 14, 1814 as a British fleet attempted to bombard Fort McHenry. Alongside was moored the sloop of Francis Scott Key who had come out to negotiate a prisoner exchange, and was being held until the battle was over. The next morning, as the smoke cleared over Fort McHenry, Mr. Key saw the oversized American flag still flying over the fort, and was inspired to write down his thoughts in poetry." -- Description from everything2.com. Photo by Auxiliarist Clement Chan.