OUR PRIVATEERS FOUGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOM. PLEASE DON’T CONFUSE THEM WITH THIS.

During the War of 1812, patriotic privateers sailed from ports like Fell’s Point to harass British trade and sap England’s war fervor.

Legally sanctioned by the US government, thousands lost limbs, eyes or their lives, or endured wretched prisons, to keep us free.

Yet some mistakenly call them “pirates”. That is historically inaccurate. Records show this port has never seen a single pirate ship. Ever.

Getting history right is why the Preservation Society has educational talks, exhibits, lectures, even ads. It’s important you know the honest facts, like that our privateers were forerunners of the US Navy Reserve. Keep it in mind.

The privateers were patriots. And Fell’s Point has never seen pirates.