| The first New York was a gondola built by Gen. Benedict
Arnold's American troops on Lake Champlain at Skenesborough, New York, in
the summer of 1776. |
| Originally commanded by a Capt. Lee, the new gondola was turned
offer to a Capt. Reed when Lee, p[probably to to illness, was unable to sail
with General Arnold's little fleet as it got under way from Crown Point on
24 August. New York accompanied the flotilla up the lake, stopped
at Willsborough 1 September to repair damage suffered during a severe storm
and was at Isle la Motte on the 18th. On the 23rd the American ships retired
into a defensive position between Valcour Island and the New York shore to
await the British. Capt. Thomas Pringle, R.N., got his ships under way 4
October. A week later on the morning of the 11th, the two forces met in the
Battle of Valcour Island which resulted in a tactical American defeat but
was a great strategic victory for the patriots' cause. Battered during the
action off Valcour Island, Arnold's ships slipped though the hands of the
British fleet and retired south up the Lake toward Crown Point. About noon
on the 13th, the British fleet pulled within range of the Americans and opened
fire. Arnold's flotilla fought defiantly for over two hours before their
shattered condition forced him to run his ships ashore in a little creek
about 10 miles from Crown Point and burn them. With his men, he then retired
through the woods to Crown Point. |
| But the little fleet had served the American cause well. Its presence
on the lake had delayed the British drive from Canada to cut the American
colonies in two, while the redcoats were building their own fleet. After
the Battle of Valcour Island, winter was too close to permit them to begin
the campaign. Thus New York and her plucky little sister ships had
bought the Americans a year to prepare for the onslaught -- a year
which made possible their stirring victory at Saratoga. |
Complement, 45; Armament, one long 12-pdr, two 9-pdrs., eight
swivels |
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