Underwater Archeologists Discover Traces of Fort Horn

"I think we’ve found it!" reported an excited Steve Bilicki by cell phone from his research vessel shortly after 2 p.m. EST on Tuesday, May 14. Underwater archeologist Stephen Bilicki has been leading a team of underwater archeologists from the Maryland Historical Trust since yesterday, searching the waters of the Severn River off of Horn Point in the Eastport neighborhood of Annapolis. They have been using side-scanning sonar and magnetometers to locate traces of Fort Horn, which built in 1776 to protect Annapolis Harbor from the British fleet.

The fort has long been thought to have been located on a low bluff at the end of the Horn Point peninsula along Chester Avenue in what is now the Eastport neighborhood of Annapolis. However, Bilicki’s most recent survey confirms his suspicions that the site of the fort is actually now under the shallow water off the point.

"I’m 75 per cent sure we’re looking at the south wall, the turret and the trench," Bilicki reported. "We’ve got divers going down on Thursday morning and we’ll have a definite answer by that afternoon."

Bilicki and his team will share the preliminary results of his survey with the public on Thursday, May 16, at 3 p.m. on the deck behind the McNasby’s building currently being renovated by the Annapolis Maritime Museum.

From Annapolis City Dock, cross the Spa Creek Bridge to Eastport, turn left at the second light onto Chesapeake Avenue, turn right onto Second Street, and stop before driving into Back Creek. McNasby’s is the building on the left. See map and driving directions.

For more information, call 410-263-9446.