The Maryland Dove

The Maryland Dove is on the St. Mary's River behind the State House at Historic St. Mary's City; access begins from the visitor center off SR 5 at 18751 Hogaboom Ln. The ship evokes the 1634 Dove, the smaller of the two square-rigged ships—the Ark being its escort—that delivered Lord Baltimore and some 140 colonists to Maryland. Similar ships were used to transport cargo and supplies from England and facilitated coastal trade. Iron murtherers (breech-loading shotguns), compasses, sandglasses and log pumps are among the ship's appointments. The working ship occasionally ventures from St. Mary's City and stops at various Chesapeake Bay ports to relate Maryland's history.