In July 1776, two hundred and forty years ago this year, the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, declaring the United Colonies to be the United States. Three months later, on the waters of Lake Champlain, a naval battle took place that would, as much as any event in the war, make that declaration a reality.
The Battle of Valcour Island, fought between American and British fleets for the control of Lake Champlain on October 11-13, 1776, was the only contest between American and British fleets in all the Revolutionary War, and it was an odd affair. The American fleet, a mishmash of various types of ships and gunboats, was commanded by Gen. Benedict Arnold,[1] then one of the most active and respected officers in the Continental Army. The British fleet, an equally odd assortment of ships and boats, was commanded by Master and Commander Thomas Pringle[2] under the eye of Guy Carlton, Governor of Quebec Province and commander-in-chief of British forces in Canada.
The naval fight for the lake was the culmination of a military campaign begun when the Continental Congress ordered the invasion of Canada in 1775. Failing to take the fortified city of Quebec, the Americans laid siege to the provincial capital. The siege lasted until the spring of 1776, when a British fleet under the command of Capt. Charles Douglas bashed its way through the icy St. Lawrence to relieve the city. Fresh British and German troops drove the sick and dispirited American army away from Quebec, up the St. Lawrence, out of Montreal and south up Lake Champlain to their strongholds at Crown Point, Ticonderoga and Mount Independence.
But the British could not pursue their enemy beyond the border of Canada. With no roads through that wild country, the only way to move troops was by water, and the Americans were masters of the lake.
In May of the previous year, Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen had captured Fort Ticonderoga. Soon after, Arnold captured and briefly held the British fortification at St. Johns. On leaving, he took the few small armed vessels that were there. Since then, the Americans had added to their nascent fleet, and though it was no impressive naval force it was enough to give the Americans command of the water.
With the threat of British invasion along the lake, however, it was clear that a bigger fleet would be needed. Shortly after arriving at Ticonderoga, Gen. Philip Schuyler authorized a ship-building program at Skenesborough (now Whitehall) on the southern tip of Lake Champlain. Benedict Arnold, returning from Canada, assumed supervision of the ships’ construction. After the fleet’s first commander proved a disappointment, Gates appointed Arnold commodore of the Champlain fleet.
Ultimately, the American fleet consisted of three xebec-rigged row galleys (Congress, Washington, and Trumbull) designed by Arnold, three schooners (Royal Savage, Revenge and Liberty), one sloop (Enterprise), one cutter (Lee) and nine gondolas.
The British, looking back to the French and Indian Wars, also recognized the importance of controlling Lake Champlain, and had anticipated this situation. In 1775-76, they built a number of gunboats in England, which were then dismantled and shipped to Canada with Douglas’s squadron for use on the lake.
Gunboats alone, however, would not suffice. Carleton knew he would also need more powerful vessels, and once the Americans were driven from Canada the British set about building them. Some they built at St. Johns, Canada, though most had been built in Quebec and were dismantled, moved to St. Johns and reassembled.
Throughout the summer of 1776 both the Americans and British were engaged in a race to construct the most powerful force on the lake. With the building of the Inflexible, a three masted sailing ship of 180 tons carrying eighteen 12 pounder canons, the radeau Thunderer, a flat-bottomed sailing barge-like vessel, the schooners Carleton and Maria, the gondalo Spitfire and twenty-three gunboats, the British won the race.
It was not until October 8 that the British fleet was completed and ready to sail. The wind, however, was blowing from the south, the direction they wished to go. To sail into the wind, a sailing vessel has to sail a zig-zag course, pointing as directly into the wind as it can. This process is called tacking. For a modern sailboat this is slow and tedious. For a vessel of the eighteenth century it was nearly impossible.
Benedict Arnold, former ship captain, was well aware of this. Knowing the British could not sail until the wind was blowing out of the north, or near to it, he tucked his small fleet in between the south end of Valcour Island and the New York shoreline. This way, he knew, the British would have to sail past his hiding place, leaving the larger ships downwind and unable to claw their way up into the fight. With this choice, Arnold was able to effectively neutralize the advantage the British had in their large and powerful ships.
Finally, on October 11, the wind came around out of the north, and as Arnold had expected, the British fleet got underway, moving inexorably south. Arnold’s fleet lay in wait. And over the next three days, one of the most extraordinary battles of the Revolution would take place on the cold, fresh water of Lake Champlain.
The battle, which began before noon, was a long and bloody slugfest, mostly between Arnold’s fleet and the British gunboats, with the larger British ships adding their firepower where they could. When the sun set, the British were confident of destroying the remnants of the fleet the following morning. But the British commander, Pringle, failed to properly block the Americans’ escape route, and Arnold and his fleet slipped through in the night and ran off up the lake to Ticonderoga. A running battle took place over the next two days that would lead to the near destruction of the American fleet on Lake Champlain.
Primary source documents concerning the Battle of Valcour Island are frustratingly scare.[3] Happily, we discovered two previously unpublished eyewitness accounts of the battle. One was written by Lieutenant John Schank,[4] captain of the British ship Inflexible, the largest ship on either side. That letter, written on October 16, 1776, was his official report describing the battle to Capt. Charles Douglas, commander of all British naval activity on the St. Lawrence River, Lake Champlain, and the Great Lakes.
The other eyewitness account describing the Battle was written by Lt. Thomas Butler,[5] first officer of the Inflexible, to Sir Charles Douglas in early 1777.
These letters provide a new and exciting perspective on the battle. Butler’s letter provides the first accurate and most realistic timeline, describing in chronological order and specific detail the events which occurred during the hours between noon and 5 PM. His letter also describes the events of October 12 in greater detail than those previously published.
Schank’s letter, though weaker in terms of chronology, gives the most detailed account of what happened on October 11 aboard the Carleton, the only one of the larger British ships to really join in the battle. Schank also clarifies the events surrounding Arnold’s final defeat on October 13 at Arnold’s Bay.
At the conclusion of the battle, it was Butler who carried Capt. Schank’s official battle report to Douglas in Quebec. Butler also provided an oral report describing the battle. Douglas, concerned about wide discrepancy in the battle reports from Captain Pringle, the fleet’s commander, and Schank, clearly requested Butler to write to him if he recalled other details. Butler’s letter is his response to Douglas’s request.
Captain Douglas returned to England in the Isis in late 1776. He became Sir Charles Douglas after being knighted and made a Baronet by King George III on January 23, 1777 for his services in the campaign of 1776. Since Butler addressed this letter to Sir Charles Douglas Bart, it must have been written sometime after January 23.
Both the Butler and Schank letters are held in the archives of the University of Glasgow, Scotland. Butler’s letter, transcribed from photocopies of the original document, is reproduced with permission below:
A Copy
Sir
Having recollected some few farther particulars, relating to the two late Engagements on Lake Champlain, than were contained in the account I gave you at Quebec, I beg leave to trouble you with the following, for your still more exact information.
On the 11th of October in company with the Maria, Carleton, Radeau, Gondalo, and seventeen gun boats, we (excepting the latter who were inshore) were nearly in the line abreast, and made the island of Valcour -At 10 o Clock we discovered a small Schooner cruizing between the north end [This is a directional error; all of the action took place when the British were at the South end of the island] of the said island and the main*
[In margin:“* Our signal was thrown out to Chase and we immediately made sail in company with the Carleton, having the wind about NW. [According to all other accounts, the wind was from the North early in the morning as the British fleet sailed past Valcour Island before realizing the American fleet was there; this is the first documentation that the wind shifted to the NW around 10 AM and to west between 11AM and 12 noon, making it slightly easier for the British to tack into Valcour bay] The Schooner soon reappeared, having been up between the Island and the main” Mr Schank desirous of following her, was informed by the Pilot, that there was not water enough for the Ship, whereupon he order’d him to haul in, as near the island to the Eastward of it as was safe. The wind veering to the westward, between 11 and 12 o Clock, we opened the Bay at the South end of the Island (there the Radeau and Gondalo [two of the larger British ships] dropt to Leeward) and discovered fifteen sail of the Rebel Fleet, the Royal Savage a very fine Schooner on their right wing was under sail, and the five next to her had their sails loose, but I believe were still at Anchor. When we brought the foremost guns to bear, Mr Schank desired me to point three of them at the Royal Savage, and I fired them so effectually, that in their confusion in consequence thereof, she ran ashore, on the SE end of the island above mentiond, the Rebels (exceptg 11 which the Inflexibles hands afterwards brought on board) abandon’d her. [Butler claims that his fine shooting forced the Royal Savage to run aground, but the American version of this incident states the Royal Savage “missed stays,” or failed to turn properly through the wind. None of the American eyewitness reports, except Arnold’s,[6] mention the Inflexible firing. Schank states “Mr Butler pointed so direct to her that it skivered [pierced] her bowsprit A second from the same hand struck her foremast, and the third killed A Man in the Cabbin”[7]. Damage to the Royal Savage’s bowsprit might well have caused her to miss stays. How Schank could have known Butler’s shot killed a man in Royal Savage’s cabin is unclear] At this time, about 2 oClock in the afternoon, The Carleton fetched in, and in company with the Inflexible, kept working to windward in order to get nearer them, firing when their guns would bear. The 17 Gunboats Commanded by Officers of the train of artillery, fought by men of that Corps, and navigated by second mates, Boswains and Seamen, who were volunteers from the Transports, at the same time advanced from the South end of the island, and with amazing perseverance, kept up a close and an incessant fire on the Rebels.[8] We soon observed our boats had taken possession of the Royal Savage, and that her guns were for a short while turned on the Rebels-
I afterwards learnt that Lieutenant Longcroft, Commander of the Gondalo, had boarded her, but their Superior fire, killing three of his boats Crew, obliged him to leave her. [Lt. Edward Longcroft, commander of the ship Brunswick, was transferred to the Lake Champlain fleet and commanded the British gondalo Loyal Convert. He was ultimately promoted to Post Captain and spent the final years of his career preventing smuggling into England]About 4 o Clock the Carleton with a lucky flaw gained the wind of the Inflexible, she being on the Larboard tack and we on the Starboard, but we tacked Immediately in the Carletons wake & sterne & in as She did, but soon after a varying wind (which the Carleton had passed) headed us, and she anchored before the Center of the Rebel fleet but her guns were soon silenced and we supposed, as actually was the case, that her spring [a line attached to the anchor and used to shift the vessel side to side to bring guns to bear] was shot away. [After her captain, James Dacres, was knocked unconscious by falling rigging, command of the schooner Carleton devolved to a young midshipman, Edward Pellew, who would later become Admiral Sir Edward Pellew, ] Mr Schank then ordered two of our boats, commanded by Mess. Carling and Cargney to her assistance, who very soon took her in tow. [In the manuscript the men’s names appear to be one word. Both participated in the battle. John Curling was a mate on the Isis prior to his transfer to the Lake Champlain fleet where he served on the Inflexible. Patrick Carnegy was a Midshipman on the Isis when transferred to the Lake Champlain fleet where he was assigned to the Inflexible.] The Signal had been made for anchoring some time but Mr Schank had obtained leave to work in, our guns still playing on the Rebels, whenever they bore. Their Shot did no damage except to our rigging and sails which suffered a good deal. The Maria had anchored westward and about 5 o Clock Lieut Starke went from her, and set the Royal Savage on fire, which soon blew up. The Signal being still out for anchoring, having but little wind, and near shore night coming on, we found our attempts to get closer were in vain, we therefore fired five full broadsides and Simultaneously observed that our guns silenced those of the Rebels.
We now stood out and anchored in a Line with the Maria, Carleton Gunboats, Radeau and Gondalo (the two latter having by this time warped up [moved by means of being pulled up to their anchors]) but not so near the western shore as our Lieut Schank in order to prevent the Escaping of the Rebels had proposed, having received orders to approach closer to the Center- As did our Tinder [tender, a small vessel assisting a larger one] About 9 o Clock, to cruize between the fleet and the Eastern shore, instead of watching at Anchor the Rebels between us and the Western side as our Commander had ordered.
Finding on the morning of the 12th that the Rebel fleet had escaped in the night (about 11 o clock as prisoners reported) we all weighed and chaced to the Southward but neither the Radeau, Gondalo nor gunboats could get to windward, and were obliged to bear up which was soon our case, for under double reeft topsails, we (in a squall) lay along so much as to become water logged. Wherefore we wore & anchored in shore, as did the Carleton and Maria when we were pumped out we discovered the Rebel fleet likewise at Anchor [at Schuyler Island], upon which we immediately weighed with the Carleton and Maria, as did the Rebels. We chased all this day with a fresh gale from the Southward, and thick weather, and Continued to Chase all night with a moderate wind.
On the morning of the 13th at about 6 o Clock the wind hauled to the Northward, and we (bringing the breeze up with us) soon found we approached the Rebels, not withstanding their oars and sails. About one o clock the Maria (sailing better than we did) was about a quarter of a mile, and began engaging the gallies, they at the same time firing their Stern Chace (which were 18 & 12 Pounders) at the Inflexible and Carleton, but did no damage except to our Rigging and Sails.
The Washington Galley very soon struck, & the Rebel General Waterbury who Commanded her, declared in my hearing after the Action was over, that his reason for striking, and not running ashore [illeg-persuant?] to his order from Arnold was, to avoid being sunk, or at best having a great many of his men killed by the Inflexibles’ broadside, the whole of which (instead of one, two, or three guns at a time, as during the chase, when they could bear), was now so near being poured in upon him. Almost at the same instant that Waterberry struck, six of the Rebel vessels being a little ahead of him, and impelled by like motives, ran ashore, were set on fire by their own Crews and soon blew up. An Hospital Sloop a small schooner, a Galley and one Gondalo, [the hospital ship Enterprise, Revenge schooner, New York gondola and Trumbull galley] Escaped to Ticonderoga.
When Crownpoint saw this defeat, all the houses situated thereupon (excepting one and the magazine, were set on fire, and the next morning we anchored there, where not a Rebel was to be seen.- One hundred and four prisoners were taken, and returned to Ticonderoga, one of them gave an Account in my hearing of the Gondalo to which he belonged, having been sunk by the Inflexible in Valcour Bay, by three shot striking her between wind and water, within the space of three feet of each other [The prisoner was actually mistaken; the Inflexible did not sink the gondalo Philadelphia. It was sunk by one of the gunboats after a 24 pound ball hit the bow. The fatal shot was fired by either the Invincible or Infernal, the only gunboats armed with 24 pounder cannon.[9]]
I cannot be so particular as I would wish, but leave it to anyone to judge, from the Circumstances of our having driven the Royal Savage ashore, and having sunk the Gondalo on the 11th from Waterberry having struck to us, and Arnold having with his Galley & Gondalos ran aground on the 13th, rather than receive more of our fire; how much the success of both days at times was owing to the Effects of the heavy metal of the Inflexible and moreover to her formidable appearance.
I am Sir &c
(Signed) T Butler
Sir Charles Douglas Bart
A Time Line for the Battle of Valcour Island
Butler’s description provides the most accurate sequence of timing for the events which occurred during the Battle of Valcour Island. By combining Butler’s description with other eyewitness accounts we are finally able to reconstruct an accurate timeline for the battle. Among the many revelations, we can now see that the actual British large ship engagement with Arnold’s fleet lasted probably about one and a half hours (4-5:30 PM).
October 10, 1776
The British fleet was anchored near Isle aux Motte (Isle la Mott) located on the Vermont side of Lake Champlain near Grand Isle, on the evening of October 10. The Inflexible had stopped at Point au Fer to obtain five 12 pounder cannons. When they sailed to join the rest of the fleet the Inflexible was armed with seventeen 12 pounders. After anchoring, Captain Schank immediately went on board the flagship Maria to report to Captain Pringle. Gen. Guy Carleton was also on board.
7 PM- “At 7 came too near Isle aux Motte, I went on board the Maria, and the General Acquainted me of the Enemy’s being at the Isle of Valcour.”[10]. This is the first documented evidence that the British actually knew where Arnold’s fleet was located prior to the Battle.
October 11, 1776
On October 11, morning twilight, the time when tasks can be performed without the necessity of artificial light, was 5:30 AM. Sunrise was 6:07 AM, sunset 5:16 PM, and evening twilight at 5:45 PM; there was no moon on the nights of October 11, 12 or 13, 1776.
5 AM- “On the 11th at 5 in the morning weighed and ran close in with the fleet.”[11]
8 AM- “Yesterday morning at eight o’clock, the enemy’s fleet, consisting of one ship mounting sixteen guns, one snow mounting the same number, one schooner of fourteen guns, two of twelve, two sloops, a bomb-ketch and a large vessel (that did not come up) with fifteen or twenty flat-bottomed boats or gondolas, carrying one twelve or eighteen pounder in their bows, appeared off Cumberland Head.” [12]
10 AM- “At 10 o Clock we discovered a small Schooner cruizing between the north end of the said island and the main”[13] The schooner was the Royal Savage.
“At 10 saw a strange sail get under sail. Captain Pringle ordered the Carleton to chase her, soon after my signal was made for the same purpose”[14]
11 AM- “The wind veering to the westward, between 11 and 12 o Clock, we opened the Bay at the South end of the Island (there the Radeau and Gondalo dropt to Leeward) and discovered fifteen sail of the Rebel Fleet …”[15] This is the first description of the wind shifting from North to Northwest during the Battle.
“At eleven o’clock they ran under the lee of Valcour and began the attack. The schooner [Royal Savage], by some bad management, fell to leeward and was first attacked; one of her masts was wounded and her rigging shot away. The captain thought prudent to run her on the point of Valcour, where all the men were saved.”[16] Arnold’s description makes it clear the Royal Savage missed stays causing her to drift closer to the Inflexible.
“in a short time we saw the Royal Savage bearing down, with intention to Engage the Carleton, but when they saw this Ship, they hauled their wind. I immediately ordered a bow chase which Mr Butler pointed so direct to her that it sheared. Her bowsprit A second from the same hand struck her foremast, and the third killed A Man in the Cabbin …”[17] When the Royal Savage hauled its wind (changed the direction in which she was sailing), she missed stays and was attacked by the Inflexible.
12 Noon- Around 12 or shortly before, Inflexible opened fire on the Royal Savage. The fire damaged the Royal Savage’s bowsprit and she ran aground. Arnold’s comment to Gates was correct. The Royal Savage missed stays, drifted to leeward bringing her closer to the Inflexible before Inflexible’s attack. The damage inflicted by the Inflexible on the Royal Savage’s rigging made her unmanageable. Capt. David Hawley ran the Royal Savage aground on the Southeast tip of Valcour to save his men.
“At half-past twelve the engagement became general, and very warm. Some of the enemy’s ships and all their gondolas beat and rowed up within musket shot of us. They continued a very hot fire with round and grape shot until five o’clock, when they thought proper to retire to about six or seven hundred yards distance, and continued the fire till dark.”[18]
“At this time the Gunboats came round the Island in the most masterly manner, Each striving to be first, Never I am sure did boats behave so well in this world. At this time the Radeau hauled round, but from her construction fell to Leeward, Came to anchor and began a fire on the Royal Savage …”[19]
2 PM- “At this time, about 2 oClock in the afternoon, The Carleton fetched in, and in company with the Inflexible, kept working to windward in order to get nearer them, firing when their guns would bear. The 17 Gunboats Commanded by Officers of the train of artillery, fought by men of that Corps, and navigated by second mates, Boswains and Seamen, who were volunteers from the Transports, at the same time advanced from the South end of the island, and with amazing perseverance, kept up a close and an incessant fire on the Rebels.”[20] This indicates the large ships entered the bay in early afternoon and engaged Arnold’s ships at a distance. The gunboats came around the South end of Valcour Island about 12:30 PM. They first clustered around and engaged the Royal Savage. A gunboat officer had them spread apart, row up within range of the Rebels and form a line from Valcour to the New York shore. They spent the rest of the afternoon exchanging fire with Arnold’s fleet.
4 PM- “About 4 o Clock the Carleton with a lucky flaw gained the wind of the Inflexible, she being on the Larboard tack and we on the Starboard, but we tacked Immediately in the Carletons wake & sterne & in as She did, but soon after a varying wind (which the Carleton had passed) headed us, and she anchored before the Center of the Rebel fleet …”[21] Tacking against the wind, the larger ships made agonizingly slow progress toward Arnold’s fleet in order to fire a full broadside at the Rebels. At various points along this zigzag path a few cannon from both the Inflexible and Carleton could find a target. When the Carleton anchored near the center of the fleet, they placed a spring on the anchor cable allowing them to turn the ship to fire broadsides at the Rebels. Arnold’s fleet concentrated their gunfire on the Carleton and eventually one of the shot destroyed the Carleton’s anchor cable making the ship unable to return the Rebel fire.
5 PM- “The Maria had anchored westward and about 5 o Clock Lieut Starke went from her, and set the Royal Savage on fire, which soon blew up. The Signal being still out for anchoring, having but little wind, and near shore night coming on, we found our attempts to get closer were in vain, we therefore fired five full broadsides and Simultaneously observed that our guns silenced those of the Rebels.”[22]
“The Maria having the Signal out to Anchor, the wind beginning to die away and finding it not possible to get nearer, being now opposite the Center and driving out of the Bay, Tacked and gave a Broadside, then wore away and so Continued, till we discharged five. Three of our shots striking within the distance of a foot on the Broad- side at the waters edge, sank one of their Gondalos …”[23]
“We now stood out and anchored in a Line with the Maria, Carleton Gunboats, Radeau and Gondalo (the two latter having by this time warped up) but not so near the western shore as our Lieut Schank in order to prevent the Escaping of the Rebels had proposed, …”[24]
7PM- At seven o’clock Colonel Wigglesworth, in the Trumbull, got under way; the gondolas and small vessels followed, and the Congress and Washington brought up the rear. The enemy did not molest us.”[25]
9 PM- “At 9 at night I ordered Mr Harrison in the Spitfire to anchor between me and the Shore, to watch the Enemy, but just as he was going away I received orders from Cap Pringle to send her to cruize, between the fleet And the East Shore, which I did directly.”[26]
Why did Pringle order Spitfire to cruise between the fleet and the eastern shore instead of anchoring, as Schank had ordered, between the Inflexible and the western New York shore to prevent the Rebels from escaping? Apparently Pringle and General Carleton both felt the only possible escape route for Arnold was around the Northern tip of Valcour Island; therefore, Pringle ordered the Spitfire to cruise on the East side of Valcour to block that escape route.
“having received orders to approach closer to the Center- As did our Tinder About 9 o Clock, to cruize between the fleet and the Eastern shore, instead of watching at Anchor the Rebels between us and the Western side as our Commander had ordered.”[27]
12 Midnight the wind shifted from North to South (Wigglesworth[28]7). This wind shift prevented Arnold’s fleet from proceeding south to Fort Ticonderoga. It also prevented the British from easily catching up with Arnold.
October 12, 1776
“Finding on the morning of the 12th that the Rebel fleet had escaped in the night (about 11 o clock as prisoners reported) we all weighed and chaced to the Southward but neither the Radeau, Gondalo nor gunboats could get to windward, and were obliged to bear up which was soon our case, for under double reeft topsails, we (in a squall lay along so much as to become water logged. Wherefore we wore & anchored in shore, as did the Carleton and Maria when we were pumped out we discovered the Rebel fleet likewise at Anchor, upon which we immediately weighed with the Carleton and Maria, as did the Rebels. We chased all this day with a fresh gale from the Southward, and thick weather, and Continued to Chase all night with a moderate wind.”[29] On October 12 the weather was stormy with strong squalls. Since the wind was directly from the South, the British had to follow a zigzag course to catch up with the Rebel ships.
“In the morning seeing them to withdraw the signal was made to sail, and we soon discovered the rest of the Rebel Fleet, the wind then at south, and freshing up, employed working to windward, the Carleton not being able to carry sail was under the land which soon proved to be my case with the Inflexible, for she was near sinking, and her not doing so was owing to Mr Butlers great presence of mind, the Maria soon after came to and anchored also.”[30] 4 PM- “At four discovered some of the Rebel fleet to windward, getting under sail, and the wind coming to the Westward, ordered our Chase vessels to get under sail, in sailing up we fell in with a prize gondalo taken by Cap Mooney with a party of his Canadians- The Rebel fleet Continued in sight, Gained Ground of them-kept working to windward all night …”[31] By 4 PM the weather had moderated and the wind had shifted to Westerly, the British resumed the chase.
October 13, 1776
6 AM- “On the morning of the 13th at about 6 o Clock the wind hauled to the Northward, and we (bringing the breeze up with us) soon found we approached the Rebels, not withstanding their oars and sails.”[32]
7 AM- “The wind better from about Seven in the morning till about 8 o clock-when a fresh breeze sprang up from the NE, the Rebels being then becalmed, we came up with them fast, And wishing to put them in Confusion, I fired a bow chase some time after fired another still gaining ground and discovering the remainder of the Rebel fleet”[33]
10 AM- “At 10 Cap Pringle in the Maria made the signal to Engage, when I watched every opportunity to fire on the Enemy. Our guns carrying a great way overreached those of the Maria, not withstanding She was ahead of us”[34] The Inflexible’s 12 pounder cannon had a range of two miles. Their fire was designed to distract and intimidate the Rebels.
12 Noon- “Upon the 13th, I again saw eleven sail of their fleet making off to Crown Point, who, after a chase of seven hours, I came up with in the Maria, having the Carleton and Inflexible a small distance a stern; the rest of the fleet almost out of sight. The action began at twelve o’clock, and lasted two hours, at which time Arnold, in the Congress Galley, and five Gondolas ran on shore, and were directly abandoned and blown up by the enemy, a circumstance they were greatly favored in by the wind being off shore, and the narrowness of the lake.”[35] This was Pringle’s explanation of why Arnold was able to escape and destroy his vessels rather than the British capturing them. The lake is not that narrow at Ferris (now Arnold’s) Bay. If the wind was offshore, Arnold would not have been able to sail into Ferris Bay and run his ships aground.
1 PM- “About one o clock the Maria (sailing better than we did) was about a quarter of a mile, and began engaging the gallies, they at the same time firing their Stern Chace (which were 18 & 12 Pounders) at the Inflexible and Carleton, but did no damage except to our Rigging and Sails.”[36] Rigging damage from cannon fire can be just as destructive as shots to the hull. It is possible to incapacitate a sailing ship simply by severely damaging the rigging.
2 PM- “The action began at twelve o’clock, and lasted two hours, at which time Arnold, in the Congress Galley, and five Gondolas ran on shore, and were directly abandoned and blown up by the enemy, …”[37]
“The Washington Galley very soon struck, & the Rebel General Waterbury who Commanded her, declared in my hearing after the Action was over, that his reason for striking, and not running ashore (persuant?) to his order from Arnold was, to avoid being sunk, or at best having a great many of his men killed by the Inflexibles’ broadside, the whole of which (instead of one, two, or three guns at a time, as during the chase, when they could bear), was now so near being poured in upon him. Almost at the same instant that Waterberry struck, six of the Rebel vessels being a little ahead of him, and impelled by like motives, ran ashore, were set on fire by their own Crews and soon blew up.”[38] General Waterbury decided to surrender his ship rather than have his men killed or maimed by a broadside from the Inflexible.[39] He struck to the Inflexible. Because he didn’t obey his orders, many accused Waterberry of cowardice. He never fought again in the Revolution.
Following Arnold’s destruction of his ships and Waterbury surrendering to the Inflexible, the Battle of Valcour Island ended. The British considered it a resounding victory. From a naval perspective they were correct, but in the end it would not be so complete a victory as they thought.
In the future, Journal of the American Revolution will look at the second newly discovered document from the Battle of Valcour Island, the official report of Lt. John Schank, captain of the British ship Inflexible, to Capt. Charles Douglas.
Note on the transcription: The author transcribed both the Butler and Schank letters from photocopies of the original documents held at the University of Glasgow. Transcription accuracy was confirmed by Ms. Niki Russell, an expert in seventeenth and eighteenth century cursive writing. We elected to insert comments into the Butler letter text to provide an instant explanation of confusing passages, participants and naval jargon. Comments on this format are welcome.
Acknowledgements: We gratefully knowledge the assistance of James L. Nelson; Ms. Nicole Russell, Director of Public Relations, Special Collections Department, University of Glasgow; Chris Fox and the staff of the Pell Research Ctr., Fort Ticonderoga; Art Cohen, Emeritus Director, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and Don Hagist and the JAR staff.
[1] In the author’s opinion, the best biography of Arnold’s life is James Kirby Martin, Benedict Arnold: Soldier and Patriot (New York: New York University Press, 1997) and the best account of the actual battle is James L. Nelson, Benedict Arnold’s Navy (Camden, ME: Ragged Mountain Press, 2006).
[2] “List of officers promoted after Quebec siege,” Mss. 1968, Starke Papers, Pell Research Center, Fort Ticonderoga, NY.
[3] A compilation of the available eyewitness accounts can be found in Stephen Darley, The Battle of Valcour Island: The Participants and Vessels of Benedict Arnold’s 1776 Defense of Lake Champlain (Published by the author, 2013).
[4]Schank to Douglas, October 16, 1776, University of Glasgow Special Collections Department, MSGEN 1035/224, reproduced with permission.
[5] Butler to Douglas, 1777, University of Glasgow Special Collections Department, MSGEN 1035/225, reproduced with permission.
[6] Benedict Arnold to Horatio Gates, October 12, 1776, in William J. Morgan, ed., Naval Documents of the American Revolution vol. 6 (Washington, DC: Department of the Navy, 1972), 1235.
[7] Schank to Douglas October 16, 1776.
[8] A detailed description of the important role the gunboats played in the battle is found in Douglas Cubbison, The British Artillery in the 1776 Valcour Island and 1777 Saratoga Campaigns (Fleischmanns, NY: Purple Mountain Press, 2007). He identified twenty-three gunboats that fought.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Schank to Douglas October 16, 1776.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Arnold to Gates October 12, 1776.
[13] Butler to Douglas 1777.
[14] Schank to Douglas October 16, 1776.
[15] Butler to Douglas 1777.
[16] Arnold to Gates October 12, 1776.
[17] Schank to Douglas October 16, 1776.
[18] Arnold to Gates October 12, 1776.
[19] Schank to Douglas October 16, 1776.
[20] Butler to Douglas 1777.
[21] Ibid.
[22] Ibid.
[23] Schank to Douglas October 16, 1776.
[24] Butler to Douglas 1777.
[25] Arnold to Gates October 12, 1776.
[26] Schank to Douglas October 16, 1776.
[27] Butler to Douglas 1777.
[28] Wigglesworth Diary in Stan V. Henkels, Jr sale catalog May 17, 1932. Reprinted in Darley, The Battle of Valcour Island, 113-115.
[29] Butler to Douglas 1777.
[30] Schank to Douglas October 16, 1776.
[31] Ibid.
[32] Butler to Douglas 1777.
[33] Schank to Douglas October 16, 1776.
[34] Ibid.
[35] Pringle to Douglas October 15, 1776.
[36] Butler to Douglas 1777.
[37] Pringle to Douglas October 15, 1776.
[38] Butler to Douglas 1777.
[39] Waterbury to Hancock October 24, 1776, reprinted in Darley, The Battle of Valcour Island, 145-147.
13 Comments
Hi Pip
Excellent article and great research effort on your part to find the two new letters on the Valcour battle. The time line is really helpful and detailed and will be of use to all future researchers, as are the letters. Look forward to read the Schank letter when it is published by JAR. Thanks for you good work on this important event.
Love to hear from you. My email address is da*******@co*****.net.
Thanks, Steve. We all owe you a great deal of gratitude for publishing the collection of eyewitness accounts and the official documents of the battle in your “Battle of Valcour Island’ published in 2013 and available from Amazon. Having a single source of these documents is priceless to all historians and scholars. On behalf of all of us”Thank you”!!
I’ll email Monday.
Pip
Here is some accounting of one American sailor, Benoni Simmons, that took part in the Battle of Valcour Island: http://gaspee.org/BenoniSimmons.html
Thanks, John. One great attribute of the Journal of the American Revolution is the Comments section. I always learn something new in the posts. Simmoms is listed as a gunner on the Trumbull in Steve Darley’s Battle of Valcour Island, 2013. It’s available on Amazon. It contains all eyewitness accounts, official reports, list of crews etc which were available up to 2012-13. They are all gathered in one place. A great resource for researchers and general readers. It’s worth every penny.
Pip
Great article! I enjoyed it very much.
One curiosity though, is the British comment that the King’s navy in fact knew Arnold’s fleet was hidden behind Valcour Island. This doesn’t make sense to me.
If the British knew the American fleet was hidden there, and we know they had the favorable wind blowing from the north, why would they have sailed passed the island and engaged from the south? Unless I’m missing some obvious fact or detail (and maybe I am), this doesn’t seem logical or likely unless they did not know Arnold’s fleet was there.
Hi Kevin- Thanks for your comment. I wish I could give you a documented answer. I can’t. I firmly believe Pringle and Carleton both knew Arnold was at Valcour. My best guess is Pringle, perhaps in consultation with Carleton, deliberately sailed past Valcour hoping to lure Arnold into battle on the open lake. When Arnold didn’t bite and taunted Pringle with the Royal Savage, pringle had to fight on Arnold’s terms. This is pure speculation.
Pip
Where are all these letters listed in the notes? Arnold to Gates, Pringle to Douglas, etc. Is everything from the University of Glasgow? Why would they have a letter from Arnold to Gates?
The full citation for the letter cited in Note 6 was inadvertently dropped during editing; note 6 should read:
Benedict Arnold to Horatio Gates, October 12, 1776, in William J. Morgan, ed., Naval Documents of the American Revolution vol. 6 (Washington, DC: Department of the Navy, 1972), 1235
Hello Pip,
Excellent article and timeline, with some interesting additions thanks to those letters. Always glad to see Sir Charles Douglas mentioned in an article as well.
Hi Chris,
Thanks for your comments. I’ve always been impressed by Captain Douglas character. Throughout his career, he was always fair to those who served with him. Douglas did not have to send a second report to the Admiralty correcting Pringle’s report and calling their attention to Schank, Longcroft, and Starke; but, he did. Why? It was the right thing to do.
Hi Will- Thanks for your question. As Don noted, a composition error dropped a citation. Most of the documents cited are easily found in Stephen Darley’s “The Battle of Valcour Island” published in 2013 and available on Amazon. Also the American documents can be found in Fold 3, an online historical archive service. Others can be found in the Naval Documents of the American Revolution volumes 5 and 6. As a general rule of thumb, please allow me to suggest, you Google the citation i.e. Arnold to Gates October 12, 1776. Copies of the original document will show up usually on the first or second page.-Pip
I have a question on the provenance of the Spitfire. Most sources I’ve seen list the Spitfire as an American vessel (History of Our Navy – Spears, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, etc.), so I found it curious that the timeline and quoted letter list the Spitfire as British. Any thoughts on this discrepancy?
Thanks.
Hi Robin,
That’s a great question. Actually, there were two gondolas in the battled named Spitfire. An American Spitfire which sank in Lake Champlain on the night of Ocotber 11 after the American’s had escaped from Valcour.
There were 2 British gondolas in the battle- the Loyal Convert commanded by Edward Longcroft and the British Spitfire commanded by Mr. Harrison. Because of their flat bottoms, neither could get into the bay or the battle. Longcroft boarded the Revenge (see both Butler and Schank letters). Nothing is mentioned about Mr. Harrison until the evening. Over the years several British ships were named Spitfire. At the moment, I have no further information about the British Spitfire. Stay tuned.
Pip