by Michael and Maxwell
Revolutionary War gunboats were used to control the Lakes Champlain, Lake George, the Hudson and Richelieu Rivers. They were flat bottomed sailing boats with square sails. Their hulls were fitted at Fort Ticonderoga. They were moored at Mount Independence. Revolutionary War gunboats carried either cannons or swivel guns.
General Facts About the Philadelphia Length Overall: 53 feet 2 inches Beam: 15 feet 2 inches Draft: 23 inches, fully loaded Depth of mid-ship, bottom to rail 4 feet Displacement: 29 tons, fully loaded Sail Plan: Topsail and Mainsail weaponry: One 12-pounder two 9-pounders, eight swivel guns
The Philadelphia was built in 1776 in Whitehall, NY. It was part of Benedict Arnold’s fleet and only served for two months. The Philadelphia had a crew of 44 and was captained by 25 year old Benjamin Rue, from Pennsylvania. He had little experience with boats and naval combat.
Benedict Arnold The Philadelphia was a part of Benedict Arnold’s fleet. So were The Spitfire, Providence, Jersey, and Washington to name a few. After the Battle of Valcour Island in 1776, in the night Benedict Arnold led his fleet past the British ships and escaped south.
The Philadelphia was hit by a cannon ball in the side, during the B of Valcour Island in the Revolutionary War. The cannon ball weig 24 pounds. The shipwreck was found in 1935.
Valcour Island, N.Y
Satellite image of Valcour Island
Philadelphia Replica Maritime Museum Vergennes, Vermont
Lake Champlain
The Philadelphia was sunk by a 24 pound cannonball at the Battle of Valcour Island.
Our class saw a reproduction of The Philadelphia in Vergennes, Vermont at the Maritime Museum.
The original Philadelphia is in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C.