Battle of Valcour Island
Valcour Bay, between Valcour Island and the New York shore, Lake Champlain, USA
What happened
A small American fleet under Benedict Arnold fought a stronger British fleet sent by Guy Carleton and commanded by Thomas Pringle. Early in the American Revolutionary War, the British planned to sail south down Lake Champlain toward the Hudson River. Arnold placed his small fleet in a narrow strait behind Valcour Island, where the larger British ships could not easily bring their guns to bear. Many American boats were sunk or damaged, but that night Arnold slipped his remaining vessels past the British in darkness and fog.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Although the British won, the fight delayed them so late in the year that Carleton withdrew for the winter.
What came next
First snow fell on 20 October 1776, and Carleton withdrew to winter quarters. In 1777, General Burgoyne's invasion was stopped at Saratoga.
Did you know?
The gunboat Philadelphia, sunk in the battle, was raised from the lake in 1935 and is now displayed at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
Timeline
- 11 October 1776The Battle of Valcour Island is fought.
- 13 October 1776Arnold burns his flagship and his crews head for Crown Point.
- 20 October 1776Snow falls and the British withdraw for winter.
- 1777Burgoyne's campaign ends at Saratoga.
- 1935The gunboat Philadelphia is raised.