Ahoy Mates!

This log will be a fun puzzle. You will need a pencil and piece of paper to work along and solve the puzzle as you read this log. Number your paper from 1-11. In the log, you will find eleven multiple choice questions. Write the letter for the answer you choose next to the number on your paper. To solve the puzzle, we will travel from Chestertown on Maryland's Eastern Shore to Pride of Baltimore II's home port of Baltimore. All set? OK, bring on the puzzle, the puzzlers are ready!

The use of landmarks is helpful when learning the economics, history, and way of life of an area such as Chestertown, Maryland. Landmarks can be natural or man-made. Natural landmarks are those made by nature, such as rivers, bays, swamps, hills, mountains, and waterfalls, to name a few. Man-made landmarks are those made by people, such as buildings, houses, roads, bridges, monuments, and cemeteries, to name a few.

The town of Chestertown, first called the Port of Chester, was officially founded in 1706. The port was created to advance trade in the Province of Maryland. The port was to be built on 100 acres of land on the western bank of the Chester River. It was to include streets, shops, inns, law offices, and a customs office. Port trade and commerce flourished for nearly 200 years, until automobiles, trucks, and the railroad replaced the Chester River as a means of transportation.

1. What type of landmarks are the sign and church in the picture above?
   B.  Natural
   C.  Man-made

Remember to put the letter of the correct answer (either B. or C. ) next to #1 on your paper.

In 1774 the British government wouldn't let the colonists send a representative to Parliament where tax laws were made. The British passed a tax on tea, which the colonists felt was unfair. Colonists in Boston, Massachusetts, dressed in Indian disguises and boarded British ships in their harbor. They threw tea overboard to show the British government they would not be treated unfairly. Chestertown banned British tea imported to their town to show their sympathy for the Boston port. No one in Chestertown was to unload, sell, or buy British tea.

On May 23, 1774, in broad daylight and not disguised as Indians, several towns people boarded a brigantine named Geddess docked in Chestertown. They threw the tea into the Chester River to protest the tea tax. Also they wanted to show their support for Boston and show the British that the colonies would stick together.

2. The Chestertown Tea Party took place on which natural landmark?
   H.  Chester River
   I.  Chesapeake Bay

This landmark in Chestertown is a monument in memory of soldiers from Chestertown and Kent County who fought in the Civil War. One side of the monument lists names of soldiers who fought for the Union. The other side of the monument lists names of soldiers who fought for the Confederacy. Some of the same last names, such as Rasin and Baker, are on both sides. Do you think they could be brothers and cousins, or even fathers and sons who fought against each other? The Civil War was known for how it divided friends, relatives, families, and our country.

3. The stone Civil War monument is this type of landmark.
   D.  Natural
   E.  Man-made

Many of the early homes in Chestertown were built along the west bank of the Chester River. Look at the roof of the white house and notice the room at the top. Can you predict what this type of room was used for?

This house was built by a ship owner. The room at the top of the house was used as an observation tower to look for ships returning to the port of Chestertown. Sometimes at night, lanterns were left burning in the "widow's walk" (as it was called) to help ships find their way. The lantern burning bright became a night time landmark for returning sailors. Can you think of any reasons why it is called a "widow's walk"?

4. The house in the picture above is what type of landmark along the Chester River?
   S.  Man-made
   T.  Natural

Today, the Chester River provides income and recreation for many Marylanders. Oystermen and fishermen work these waters for seafood. You can see families boating, fishing, and sailing on the Chester River. What do you think it will look like 200 years from now?

5. What natural landmark is the town of Chestertown built along?
   S.  Chesapeake Bay
   T.  Chester River

One of the most famous man-made landmarks in Chestertown is Washington College. On June 2, 1789, George Washington, first President of the United States of America, came to Washington College to receive an honorary degree. It is the only college to use his name with his approval.

6. In what town would you see the man-made landmark, Washington College?
   D.  Washington, D.C.
   E.  Chestertown

George Washington visited Chestertown several times. He usually stayed at Worrell's Tavern where he would eat and spend the night. Worrell's Tavern is located at the corner of Queen and Common Streets in Chestertown. Are there any buildings in your town over 200 years old? Have any Presidents ever slept or eaten in your town? Maryland holds a very special place in the history of George Washington. Maryland was one of the most powerful colonies and states during our country's beginnings.

7. Is Worrell's Tavern a man-made landmark?
   R.  No
   S.  Yes

Chestertown's history can also be explored by visiting Chester Cemetery. It is the final resting place for many of the earliest residents of the area. The cemetery helps you understand how words may have been spelled 200 years ago or how long people lived in the 1700's. Some tombstones are inscribed with sayings from the past. Markers show the art and architecture of the period, such as the Topping family grave marker. You can even find the grave site of a U.S. Senator from Chestertown. I found Mr. John Russell's grave marker very unusual. It is a piece of marble carved into the shape of a white oak tree trunk. The white oak is the Maryland state tree. I would like to find out more about Mr. Russell and why he has this unique grave stone.

8. A cemetery is a man-made landmark.
   S.  False
   T.  True

You probably would expect to see boats on the Chester River when you visit. You probably would not expect to see a schooner being built near the center of town, several blocks away from the river. The schooner Sultana is being built in Chestertown. It is a reproduction of a 1767 American-built schooner purchased by the British Royal Navy to monitor colonial shipping, including that of Chestertown, in the years before the American Revolution. The new Sultana will serve as a classroom for the teaching of history and science. The Sultana is being constructed by the Chester River Arts and Crafts Association. Predict how they will get the ship to the Chester River.

9. The Sultana is a reproduction of what type of sailboat?
   N.  Skipjack
   O.  Schooner

After leaving the port of Chestertown, Pride of Baltimore II crept westward along the very foggy Chester River. Most counties had a two hour delay for school openings because of the thick fog that day. Watches were set up by the crew all around the ship to look for man-made navigational landmarks, such as buoys, located in the Chester River. We finally reached Chesapeake Bay and set full sail for Baltimore while still in the fog.

10. The Chesapeake Bay is what type of landmark?
    W.  Natural
    X.  Man-made

The pictures above and to the right show the Pride of Baltimore II crew at work. Here are some words I thought about as I watched them and came to know each of these young men and women: team work positive attitude responsible proud determined and loyal brave energetic ambassadors

My journey ended at the Pride of Baltimore II's home port, the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. It is too foggy for us to sail today. The schooner is now berthed and the crew has started maintenance before they head home for the holidays.

11. Pride of Baltimore II's home port is Baltimore. Is the city of Baltimore a natural or man-made landmark?
    N.  Man-made
    O.  Natural

Brad Fleury is a deckhand aboard Pride II. He has been aboard for two months. Brad attended Park Elementary School in Glen Burnie. His hobbies are motorcycling and surfing. He is a cabinet maker and did much of the woodwork in the Captain's quarters on the U.S.S. Constellation as it was re-built.

Brad was at the helm of Pride II under full sail, at night, in the fog as we sailed into Baltimore harbor. He showed a great deal of responsibility following the Captain's orders and guiding us in safely. It's a trip I'll never forget, Brad. Great sailing!

Your Teacher Aboard,
Jeff Webb
Vienna Elementary School
Vienna, MD

Answer to the Puzzle:

Look at the letters you wrote down as answers to the 11 questions. Do they spell out any thing? If you got the all right, the should spell out

YOUR THOUGHTS

1. Ask your parents to take you to Chestertown for the day. There's plenty for kids and adults to do.

2. Get your teacher interested in a field trip to the Sultana. You and your classmates will really help build the schooner if you go.

3. If you have never seen Pride of Baltimore II or been on it, ask for a field trip there for the holidays. It would be a present you'll never forget.