Battle of Baltimore Navy inspired Francis Scott Key to compose the poem "Defence of Fort McHenry", which later became the lyrics for "The Star-Spangled Banner", the national anthem of the United States of America. Future President James Buchanan served as Private in the defense of Baltimore. Until April 1814, Great Britain was at war with Napoleonic France, which limited British war aims in America. During this time the British primarily used a defensive strategy and repelled American invasions of the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. However, the Americans gained naval control over Lake Erie in 1813, and seized parts of western Ontario.
HMS Starr (1805) the allies lost about 200 men. On 12 August 1812, and "Meteor" captured the American vessels "Cuba", "Caliban", "Cygnet", "Edward", "Galen", and "Halcyon". In 1814 command of "Meteor" passed to Samuel Roberts. Under Roberts, "Meteor" was one of the bomb vessels involved in actions off the American coast in the War of 1812. She participated in the bombardment of Fort Washington, Maryland on the Potomac River in August 1814 and the bombardment of Fort McHenry in the Battle of Baltimore. Thus, "the bombs bursting in air" from "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Francis Scott Key were, at least in part, "Meteor"s.