| The third Washington -- a lateen - rigged, two - masted
galley -- was built on Lake Champlain at Skenesboro, New York, in the
autumn of 1776. On 6 October 1776, the galley joined the small fleet established
and commanded by Brigadier General Benedict Arnold. |
| Washington -- commanded by Brigadier General David Waterbury,
Arnold's second in command -- was among Arnold's ships that anchored in the
lee of Valcour Island to await the expected English move. When that lakeward
push began, Capt. Thomas Pringle, RN, led a 25-ship fleet past Valcour Island
on 11 October. Pringle sighted the American fleet after he had passed it
and attacked from leeward. In the ensuing action, Washington suffered
the heaviest damage of any ship in Arnold's fleet; Waterbury, her commander,
subsequently reported that she was ". . . so torn to pieces that it was almost
impossible to keep her above water." |
| Arnold regrouped his shattered fleet and slipped past the British
on 12 October with muffled oars, the Americans slipping noiselessly past
Pringle's fleet in a desperate attempt at escape. However, after a long chase,
the British caught the retreating Continental force the following day, on
13 October, at Split Rock near Crown Point. |
| Arnold managed to beach and destroy four of the galleys and his
own flagship, Congress, while most of the remaining ships escaped
upriver. Only Washington -- at the rear of the van -- was captured
by the enemy; she struck her colors, as Arnold reported later, " . . . after
receiving a few broadsides." |
| Washington was eventually taken into British service,
apparently retaining her name, and was re-rigged as a brig. Her subsequent
fate, however is unrecorded. |
Tonnage, 123; Length 72'4"; Beam, 19'7"; depth of hold, 6'2";
Complement, 80; Armament, eight to ten guns |
|
buy
this book
