Canadian archeologists are planning their next Arctic Ocean expedition in search of a ship of the War of 1812, that in a fleet, was responsible for the American anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. Inspired by the poet and lawyer Francis Scott Key, who witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore harbor on September 13, 1814.
The surprising link between The Star Spangled Banner and the loss of the Franklin Expedition vessel, HMS TERROR, which is believed to lie off the coast of King William Island in the Canadian Arctic, adds to Canada's three year quest to find the fabled sunken wreck.
The final resting place of the TERROR, and her escort vessel, EREBUS, were both lost during the British explorer, Sir John Franklin's search for the long sought Northwest Passage in 1845. The precise location of these two sunken wrecks remains unknown
The 340 ton bomb vessel TERROR, was built in Topsham, Devon, England in 1813, and was part of a fleet of six ships assigned to the bombardment of Fort McHenry. Because of the extra strength to support bomb mortars, the TERROR was sent on later Arctic explorations to withstand crushing ice.
Francis Scott Key, a Baltimore lawyer and author had bordered a British warship under a flag of truce to secure the release of an American held prisoner. Key was required to remain aboard the ship overnight during the bombardment. By dawn, he saw the American flag still flying over the besiged fort, which inspired his poem. This poem was later set to music and gained popularity as a patriotic anthem.
Edited from an article written by Randy Boswell for the Vancouver Sun of Canada.
Montani semper liberi ! Happy modeling to all and every one of you.
Crackers 