American revolution battle on lake champlain between governor guy carelton and benedict arnold. Nov 15, 2014 american revolution battle on lake champlain between governor guy carelton and benedict arnold. The battle of valcour island journal of the american. The battle of valcour island, also known as the battle of valcour bay, was a naval engagement that took place on october 11, 1776, on lake champlain. The rebelling americans also realized that if they were to stop the. This was one of the first important naval engagements of the american revolution, pitting american brigadier general benedict arnold against british captain thomas pringle. Recognizing the disadvantage, arnold positioned his fleet to limit the. Arnold was waiting in valcour bay, hidden from the. It was also known as one of the first battle from the royal navy. The battle is generally regarded as one of the first naval batt. The valuable and unique nature of the naval war of the american revolution from 17751776 becomes clear through a close.
Battle of valcour island home revolutionary war battle of valcour island valcour island was the first battle of the american navy and pitted benedict arnold against guy carleton, british governor of quebec in an arms race of boat building and cannon firing on lake champlain. Fought shortly before the signing of the treaty of ghent, the american victory denied the british leverage to demand exclusive control over the great lakes and any territorial gains against the new england states. On october 11, 1776, general benedict arnold engaged the british navy in perhaps the most important naval contest of the american revolution. Naval battle at valcour island researching the american. Battle of valcour island is part of the canadian campaign of 1775 series, a featured topic. While valcour island resulted in a tactical victory for the british, in the long run, the battle proved to be a strategic victory for the american quest for independence.
After a twohour running battle up the east side of the lake, arnold took four gunboats and the congress into ferris bay nine miles above split rock and, with flags flying, set fire to them. The battle of plattsburgh, also known as the battle of lake champlain, ended the final invasion of the northern states during the war of 1812. The battle is generally regarded as one of the first naval battles of the american revolutionary war, and one of the first fought by the united states navy. The battle of valcour island begins american history. Vessels and captains involved in the battle of lake champlain. With a squadron of captured schooners and newly built gunboats, americas developing navy seemed no match for the superior british royal navy. Vessels and captains involved in the battle of lake. We will see valcour island from the new york shore, take a ferry ride across lake champlain near the site of the battle, visit the lake champlain maritime museum which has special exhibits related to valcour island, board the reconstructed gunboat, philadelphia ii and take a boat ride thru the lake champlain narrows where arnold fought a. The naval battle of valcour island took place on october 11, 1776 on lake champlain.
The participants and vessels of benedict arnolds 1776 defense of lake champlain at. Continental navy conway cabal, the copley, john singleton cornplanter cornwallis, charles, lord corporations. Notes on the captains of the vessels in the battle of valcour island under brigadier general benedict arnold part 1a. The battle of valcour island, also known as the battle of valcour bay, was a naval engagement. Most of the ships in the american fleet under the command of benedict arnold were captured or destroyed by a british force under the overall. The battle of valcour island was fought october 11, 1776, during the american revolution 17751783 and saw american forces on lake champlain clash with the british. The only complete muster roll for any of the vessels is the payroll for the philadelphia gondola that was discovered in 1973. In your own words and in a minimum of 23 complete sentences, explain the significance and importance of the battle of valcour island and how this battle shaped the remaining years of the american revolution. The naval battle of valcour island, also known as the battle of valcour bay, took place on october 11, 1776, on lake champlain. Battle of valcour island part of the american revolutionary war 300px royal savage is shown run aground and burning, while british ships fire on her watercolor by unknown artist, ca.
Apr 17, 2014 detail of 1776 map showing the battle of valcour island. The main battle had took place in valcour bay, a strait between the new york mainland and valcour island. Arnold was waiting in valcour bay, hidden from the british view until they rounded the island. The early naval battles of 17751776 demonstrate that the navy of the united. During valcour s 1960 cruise, she became the first american ship in 48 years t o visit the seychelles islands, an archipelago in the indian ocean. Battle of valcour island, also known as the battle of valcour bay, was a naval.
American revolution american revolution the war at sea. Although many of the american boats in the battle were damaged. Even so, if you can update or improve it, please do so. It was also known as one of the first battle from the royal. The naval battle of valcour island, aka battle of valcour bay, took place on lake champlain. Philadelphia is a gunboat referred to in contemporary documents as a gundalow or gondola of the continental navy. Jan 02, 2014 the battle of valcour island is one of those small revolutionary war engagements, the effect of which far exceeds the cost in men and materiel, as the author points out. The ragtag fleet that lost the battle of lake champlain but won the american revolution james nelson download bok. For the cost of 80 men dead, 120 captured, and the destruction of his fleet, arnold had accomplished the objective of disrupting the british invasion from canada. Notes on the captains of the vessels in the battle of. Battle of valcour island wikipedia republished wiki 2. Despite the loss of his fleet at the battle of valcour island, the resistance of arnold. American fire ships attack british warships in the hudson river, august 1776.
For this paper, you will select one battle leader combination from the following list. Although the colonists ventured to challenge britains naval power from the outbreak of the conflict, the war at sea in its later stages was fought mainly between britain and americas european allies, the american effort being reduced to privateering. Battle of valcour island simple english wikipedia, the free. The main action took place in valcour bay, a narrow strait between the new york mainland and valcour island. It contains a biography of sixteen of the seventeen captains of the american vessels that were in the battle. Recounts the courageous and exemplary campaign of arnold benedict and his cobbledtogether fleet of ships against the british in the battle of valcour island lake champlain in october 1776. Map of the battle of valcour island october 11, 1776.
The raid of nassau was a naval operation and amphibious assault by colonial forces against the british port of nassau, bahamas. Guarding american commerce and raiding british commerce and supply were the principal duties of continental navy. Valcour island redux journal of the american revolution. Outline of the american revolution with links by gordon leidner of great american history.
The battle was also known as the battle of valcour bay. Only a limited number of qualified carpenters, blacksmiths, and shipwrights could be cajoled to work in the shipyard. Lawrence and hudson rivers, and 125 miles long, lake champlain is a major boating attraction. Battle of valcour island wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. Added visualization of trophy cost when you do not have enough reputation.
The battle of valcour island took place on october 11, 1776 and was the first battle fought by the united states navy. No such comprehensive information has been published before. Although a small engagement of seemingly little importance, it provided the colonists with time and thus exerted a profound effect on the outcome of the battle of saratoga, the first great american victory. This is identified as among the best series of articles produced by the wikipedia.
Because to deal with the threat posed by this ragtag american fleet, the british expended precious time to assemble their own naval force, costing them the opportunity to invade the. Arnold, his men, and some local settlers escaped overland to crown point. The small american fleet constructed on lake champlain would eventually meet the british in the battle of valcour island, a battle that, in all likelihood, saved the american cause. American revolution timeline american battlefield trust. Oct 31, 2015 the american fleet at the time of the valcour island battle. Valcour island is on the western side of lake champlain between the present day states of vermont and new york. Fought along the rocky shores of valcour island on lake champlain, vermont, the battle of valcour island resulted in the loss of royal savage, among several other american gunboats. Battle of valcour island valcour island was the first battle of the american navy and pitted benedict arnold against guy carleton, british governor of quebec in an arms race of boat building and cannon firing on lake champlain. Having abandoned the invasion of canada, the americans realized that a naval force would be needed to block the british on lake cha. Their consultant had identified over 400 men but the consultant and the museum ended up in a disagreement and the. In between her deployments to the middle east valcour conducted local operations out of little creek, va guantanamo bay. Identifies the american revolution as the war during which the battle of. The battle of valcour island 11 october 1776 naval history blog.
When joining the fleet, many ships did not have full rigging and all had to make use of old and inferior armament. The battle of valcour island begins on this day in history, october 11, 1776, the battle of valcour island begins. Battle of valcour island simple english wikipedia, the. The onset of the revolution found the colonies with no real naval forces but. Most of the ships in the american fleet under the command of benedict arnold. October 11 battle of valcour island, lake champlain. It also portrays the tactical skills of arnold, his courage and his ability to lead. That action proved to be the last of the battle of valcour island. You will get small ships from congress for the battle. Benedict arnold, battle of valcour island, 1776 edward preble, blockade of tripoli, 1804 john rodgers, president vs. Robert neyland, george schwarz, naval history and heritage command laura trieschmann.
By clicking on the links below you will be taken to, with a few exceptions, other websites that provide information on the american revolution. Detail of 1776 map showing the battle of valcour island. December 23 thomas paine publishes the american crisis. During the summer of 1776, the british and american forces were engaged in an important contest to see which side could put together the most formidable fleet of vessels to contest the waters of lake champlain.
The battle was known as one of the first naval battles of the american revolutionary war. The battle of valcour also highlighted these characteristics. The book provides new information about the battle of valcour island which took place on lake champlain in october of 1776. Boston public library lying between vermont and new york, astride the border between the united states and canada, accessible via canals from the st.
Having abandoned the invasion of canada, the americans realized that a naval force would be needed to block the british on lake champlain. The history of the united states navy divides into two major periods. The battle is considered one of the first engagements of the newly established continental navy and the continental marines, the respective progenitors of the united states navy and marine corps. October 11th is the anniversary of the most important naval battle of the american revolution. The american fleet at the time of the valcour island battle. Notes on the captains of the vessels in the battle of valcour. Table of captains and vessels battle of lake champlain at valcour island american revolution october 11, 1776. Battle of valcour island american revolutionary war. Some among these vessels would fight in the battle of valcour island. The naval battle of valcour island took place on october. Valcour bay is located in clinton county, new york, between the town of peru and valcour island within lake champlain.
Battle of valcour island in the american revolution. For the cost of 80 men dead, 120 captured, and the destruction of his fleet, arnold had accomplished the objective of. Benedict arnold and the battle of valcour island objectives. For this paper, you will select one battleleader combination from the following list. Oct 11, 2010 not surprising, therefore, the british destroyed the american fleet and decisively won the battle of valcour island. As an alternative, the kindle ebook is available now and can be read on any device with. Benedict arnold, who had proven his military skills during the american expedition into canada, was given the assignment of overseeing construction of the american fleet being built at skenesborough, new york. Royal savage is shown run aground and burning, while british ships fire on her watercolor by unknown artist, ca. Although many of the american boats in the battle were damaged in. The small american fleet constructed on lake champlain would eventually meet the british in the battle of valcour island, a battle that, in all likelihood, saved. Having abandoned the invasion of canada, the americans realized that a naval force would be.
It was fought on a freshwater lake lake champlain by an american force consisting of fifteen small vessels, commanded by an army general, benedict arnold, who. Battle of valcour island american military history podcast. American ships sink quicker vague response examples. On october 11, 1776, the british fleet under the overall command of guy carleton traveled south on lake champlain from their supply base at st. The battle of valcour island, october 11, 1776, by ernie haas. The lake champlain maritime museum tried to develop a roster of the men who served in the battle of valcour island. The battle of valcour island journal of the american revolution. With the richelieu river to the north and lake george to the south. The battle is generally regarded as one of the first naval battles of the revolutionary war, and one of the first fought by the united states navy. Map of the battle of harlem heights september 16, 1776. The action was also the marines first amphibious landing.