Battle of Valcour Island
Position of American ships on Lake Champlain
Conflict: American Revolutionary War
Date: October 11–October 13, 1776
Place: Valcour Island, Lake Champlain, New York
Outcome: British tactical victory American strategic victory
Combatants
United States	Britain
Commanders
Benedict Arnold	Guy Carleton Captain Thomas Pringle
Strength
16 ships 750 sailors	30 ships 1,670 sailors
Casualties
80 killed or wounded 120 captured 11 ships lost	40 killed or wounded 3 small gunboats lost
Canada Campaign 1775–1777 Ticonderoga – Crown Point – Longue-Pointe – Fort St. Jean – Quebec – Les Cèdres – Vaudreuil – Trois-Rivières – Valcour Bay – Fort Cumberland – Ticonderoga

The Battle of Valcour Island, 11 October 1776, also known as Battle of Valcour Bay, was a naval engagement fought on Lake Champlain in a narrow strait between the New York mainland and Valcour Island. It is generally regarded as the first naval battle fought by the United States Navy. Although the American ships under the command of Benedict Arnold were largely destroyed, the campaign delayed by one year the British attempt to cut the colonies in half and eventually led to the British military disaster at Saratoga in 1777. Battle of Valcour Island, 1776, showing position of American ships on Lake Champlain between the New York State coastline and Valcour Island on the right. ... Landsat photo Lake Champlain, named for the French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who encountered it 1609, is a large lake in North America, mostly within the borders of the United States (states of Vermont and New York) but partially situated across the US-Canada border in Quebec. ... The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a war fought primarily between Great Britain and revolutionaries within thirteen North American colonies. ... October 11 is the 284th day of the year (285th in Leap years). ... October 13 is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years). ... This article is about the year 1776. ... Valcour Island, about two miles long and a mile broad, lies in Lake Champlain, forming a narrow strait against the New York mainland. ... Landsat photo Lake Champlain, named for the French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who encountered it 1609, is a large lake in North America, mostly within the borders of the United States (states of Vermont and New York) but partially situated across the US-Canada border in Quebec. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York City Governor George Pataki (R) Official languages None (English is de facto) Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... Benedict Arnold For other people of the same name, see Benedict Arnold (disambiguation). ... Sir Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester (1724-1808) was a British soldier who served as Governor of the Province of Quebec. ... The Battle of Ticonderoga was a minor event of the American Revolutionary War. ... The Battle of Ticonderoga was a minor event of the American Revolutionary War. ... The Battle of Longue-Pointe was fought on September 24, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. ... The Battle of Fort St. ... The Battle of Quebec was an attempt on December 31, 1775 by American revolutionaries to capture the Canadian city of Quebec and enlist Canadian support for the Revolutionary War. ... The Battle of Trois-Rivières (meaning Three Rivers) was fought on June 8, 1776 in the American Revolutionary War. ... The Battle of Valcour Island, also seen as Battle of Valcour Bay, was a naval engagement fought on 11 October 1776, in a narrow strait in Lake Champlain between the New York mainland and Valcour Island. ... The Battle of Fort Cumberland resulted in the defeat of an American army trying to invade and inspire rebellion in the British colony of Nova Scotia during the American Revolutionary War. ... For other battles at Fort Ticonderoga, see Battle of Ticonderoga. ... October 11 is the 284th day of the year (285th in Leap years). ... This article is about the year 1776. ... Landsat photo Lake Champlain, named for the French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who encountered it 1609, is a large lake in North America, mostly within the borders of the United States (states of Vermont and New York) but partially situated across the US-Canada border in Quebec. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki Official languages None Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... Valcour Island, about two miles long and a mile broad, lies in Lake Champlain, forming a narrow strait against the New York mainland. ... The French battleship Orient burns, 1 August 1798, during the Battle of the Nile A naval battle is a battle fought using ships or other waterborne vessels. ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... Benedict Arnold For other people of the same name, see Benedict Arnold (disambiguation). ... The Saratoga Campaign was a 1777 initiative by the British Army in the American Revolutionary War. ... The Battle(s) of Saratoga are considered by many historians to have been the turning point of the American Revolutionary War and one of the most decisive battles in history. ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

Strategic importance of Lake Champlain

Following the failed American invasion of Canada, the British launched a counteroffensive intended to gain control of the Hudson River Valley, which extends southward from Lake Champlain. Control of the upper Hudson would have enabled the British to link their Canadian forces with those in British-occupied New York City, dividing the American colonies of New England from those in the South and Mid-Atlantic, and potentially finishing the revolution. The Invasion of Canada in 1775-1776 was the first, and perhaps the only major initiative by the Americans during the Revolutionary War. ... Image of the Hudson River taken by NASA. View of the Hudson River in 1880s showing Jersey City View of the Hudson River from Battery Park, New York The Goldman Sachs Tower looms above the skyline of downtown Jersey City, New Jersey, overlooking the Hudson River. ... Landsat photo Lake Champlain, named for the French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who encountered it 1609, is a large lake in North America, mostly within the borders of the United States (states of Vermont and New York) but partially situated across the US-Canada border in Quebec. ... Midtown Manhattan, looking north from the Empire State Building, 2005 New York City (officially named the City of New York) is the most populous city in the United States, the most densely populated major city in North America, and is at the center of international finance, politics, entertainment, and culture. ...

Access to the river's source was protected by American strongholds at Crown Point and Fort Ticonderoga, and elimination of these defenses would require the transportation of troops and supplies from the British-controlled St. Lawrence Valley 150 kilometers to the north. Roads were either impassable or nonexistent, making water transport over Lake Champlain the only viable option, but the only ships on the lake were in American hands, and even though they were lightly armed, they would have made transport of troops and stores impossible for the British. The two sides therefore set about building fleets; the British at St. Johns in Quebec and the Americans at the other end of the lake in Skenesborough (now Whitehall, New York). The British had adequate supplies, skilled workmen, and prefabricated ships transported from England, including a 180-ton warship they disassembled and rebuilt on the lake. All told, the British fleet (30 vessels) had roughly twice as many ships and twice the firepower of the Americans' 16 vessels. Crown Point is the name of several towns or cities, and geographic features: Crown Point, Alaska Crown Point, Indiana Crown Point, New York Crown Point, Oregon. ... Fort Ticonderoga is a large 18th century fort built at a strategically important narrows in Lake Champlain where a short traverse gives access to the north end of Lake George in the state of New York, USA. The fort controlled both commonly used trade routes between the English-controlled Hudson... The Saint Lawrence River (French fleuve Saint-Laurent) is a large west-to-east flowing river in the middle latitudes of North America, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. ... Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is a city in Quebec, Canada about 50 km southeast of Montreal. ... Beginning in 1963, a terrorist group that became known as the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) launched a decade of bombings, robberies and attacks on government offices and at least two murders by FLQ gunfire and three violent deaths by bombings. ... Whitehall, New York is the name of a village and a town in Washington County, New York. ...

Forces assembled

Benedict Arnold's flagship was initially the Royal Savage, a two-masted schooner, but he transferred to the Congress, a row galley. Arnold's fleet included Revenge and Liberty, also two-masted schooners, as well as the Enterprise, a sloop, and 8 gondolas: New Haven, Providence, Boston, Spitfire, Philadelphia, Connecticut, Jersey, New York, and the galley Trumbull. Two-masted fishing schooner A schooner is a type of sailing ship characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts. ... Five United States Navy ships have been named USS Congress, after the legislature of the US. The first Congress was a galley built on Lake Champlain, and that served as flagship in the Battle of Valcour Island. ... The first USS Revenge was a schooner in the Continental Navy. ... USS Liberty Vets Demand End to Coverup! by William Hughes (Friday June 10 2005) Thirty eight years have passed since Israel attacked the USS Liberty on June 8, 1967. ... The USS Enterprise was a Continental Navy sloop-of-war that served in Lake Champlain during the American Revolutionary War. ... A Venetian gondola A railroad gondola A gondola is a small long, narrow boat with a high prow and stern, best known for its use in the canals of Venice. ... No ship of the United States Navy has been named USS New Haven (after New Haven, Connecticut), but the name has been proposed at least three times: The light cruiser New Haven (CL-76) was converted to the aircraft carrier Belleau Wood (CVL-24) in 1942, before launching. ... Five vessels of the United States Navy have been named USS Providence, after the city of Providence, Rhode Island. ... At least seven United States Navy ships have borne the name Boston, in honor of the city of Boston, Massachusetts. ... Six ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Philadelphia, after the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... There have been at least five United States Navy ships that have borne the name New York, after the 11th state. ... A French galley and Dutch men-of-war off a port by Abraham Willaerts, painted 17th century. ...

Facing them were the ships of the Royal Navy constructed in Quebec: The flagship Inflexible, reassembled from pieces and measuring 80'; the schooners Maria, Carleton, Royal Convert, the two-masted ketch Thunderer, as well as over 20 single-masted gunboats armed with a single cannon. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the senior service of the British armed services, being the oldest of its three branches. ... Beginning in 1963, a terrorist group that became known as the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) launched a decade of bombings, robberies and attacks on government offices and at least two murders by FLQ gunfire and three violent deaths by bombings. ... Several ships of the Royal Navy have been called HMS Inflexible. ... Two-masted fishing schooner A schooner is a type of sailing ship characterized by the use of fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts. ... Square Topsl Gaff Ketch Hawaiian Chieftain on San Francisco Bay A ketch is a sailing craft with two masts: A main mast, and a mizzen mast abaft the main mast. ...

American tactics

Northern Lake Champlain, showing area of Valcour Island

Arnold came from a seafaring Connecticut family. He shrewdly chose to force the British to attack his inferior forces in a narrow, rocky body of water between the coast and Valcour Island, where the British fleet would have difficulty bringing its superior firepower to bear (and where the inferior seamanship of his unskilled sailors would have a minimal effect.) Northern Lake Champlain with box highlighting area of the Battle of Valcour Island, 1776. ... Northern Lake Champlain with box highlighting area of the Battle of Valcour Island, 1776. ... Landsat photo Lake Champlain, named for the French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who encountered it 1609, is a large lake in North America, mostly within the borders of the United States (states of Vermont and New York) but partially situated across the US-Canada border in Quebec. ... Valcour Island, about two miles long and a mile broad, lies in Lake Champlain, forming a narrow strait against the New York mainland. ... State nickname: The Constitution State Other U.S. States Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport Governor M. Jodi Rell (R) Official languages English Area 14,371 km² (48th)  - Land 12,559 km²  - Water 1,809 km² (12. ...

The British fleet took up positions at noon around 300 yards in front of the American battle line with the small gunboats forward, and the five main ships around 50-100 yards behind the gunboats. The British then opened up a huge broadside against the American ships which continued for the next five hours. During the exchange of cannon fire, the Revenge was heavily hit and abandoned. The Philadelphia, was also heavily hit and sank later at around 6:30 pm. The Royal Savage, ran aground and was set on fire by the crew to prevent the ship from falling in British hands. The Congress, and Washington were heavily damaged, and the Jersey and New York, were also badly hit. On the British side, casualties began mounting too. The HMS Carlton was heavily hit as it tried to land a boarding party on the grounded Royal Savage and was forced to withdraw under heavy fire. One small gunboat, commanded by Lt. Dufais, blew up and sank from a direct hit. Most of the other small gunboats were also hit, forcing them to withdraw and reform their battle line 700 yards from the American line. Two of the gunboats were so heavily damaged that they were forced to be scuttled after the action. The first USS Revenge was a schooner in the Continental Navy. ... Six ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Philadelphia, after the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... Five United States Navy ships have been named USS Congress, after the legislature of the US. The first Congress was a galley built on Lake Champlain, and that served as flagship in the Battle of Valcour Island. ... There have been at least five United States Navy ships that have borne the name New York, after the 11th state. ...

Nonetheless, the battle was not going well for the Americans when the sun set on October 11. Aware that he could not defeat the British fleet, Arnold decided to withdraw. Arnold managed to sneak his fleet past (and through) the British fleet during the night and attempted to run for the cover of the shore batteries situated at the American-held fort at Crown Point at the south end of the lake. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate, and the Americans were caught short of their goal. After sailing only eight miles on October 12, Arnold drove one ship, the Providence ashore in the shallow water of Buttonmold Bay off Schuyler Island where the heavier British ships could not follow, and the American ship was then stripped of guns, powder and everything else of use. The New Jersey also ran aground while the crew from the Lee did likewise. On October 13, the British fleet finally caught up to the American fleet off Split Rock where the Washington was captured and the Congress sank attempting to flee. Arnold led about 200 men from the lost ships on foot to Crown Point where the remaining ships of Trumbull, Enterprise, Revenge, New York, and Liberty finally reached safety. Arnold was forced to burn his remaining ships and withdrew further towards Ticonderoga. October 11 is the 284th day of the year (285th in Leap years). ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... See also Button Bay (Canada) for the inlet of Hudson Bay/ Button Bay, previously known as Button Mould Bay or Buttonmold Bay, is an area of shallow water on the east shore of Lake Champlain, north of Arnold Bay. ... October 13 is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years). ...

Although the British had cleared the lake of American ships, establishing naval control, snow was already falling as Arnold and his men reached Ticonderoga on October 20. The British commander Guy Carleton had no choice but to defer the attacks on Crown Point and Fort Ticonderoga and withdrew to a winter camp in Canada by early November, a decision with profound consequences. The next year in 1777, a better-prepared American army would eventually stop the British advance at Saratoga and bring France into the war on the American side. October 20 is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 72 days remaining. ... Sir Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester (1724-1808) was a British soldier who served as Governor of the Province of Quebec. ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The Saratoga Campaign was a 1777 initiative by the British Army in the American Revolutionary War. ...

References

• Gardner W. Allen, A Naval History of the American Revolution (Houghton Mifflin, 1913), chap. 6
• William M. Fowler, Jr., Rebels Under Sail: The American navy during the Revolution (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1976), chap. 10
• Brendan Morrissey, Quebec 1775, The American invasion of Canada (Osprey Campaign, 2003) p. 73-86

Houghton Mifflin Company is a leading educational publisher in the United States. ... Charles Scribners Sons is a publisher that was founded in 1846 at the Brick Church Chapel on New Yorks Park Row. ...

External Links

• James P. Millard's detailed historical charts, list of ships, period images, and modern photographs
• Battle of Valcour Island with pictures