Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-09-28
HISTORIC LAKE CHAMPlAlN.


Arnold and Cartoons Naval BattIe--The
First Contest of the Kind Between the
Independent states and Great Britain,
Special correspondence of the Troy Times
Arnold's Bay, VT, Sept Isl write from
noted historical point; it is where Ar
mold ran the Cemnant of his shattered fleet
on that october day Q3th), 177G and with
his own hands fired the vessels and en-
ploded the magazines before the British,
in hot pursuit, could possess them. The
battle at Nalcour Island, thirty miles
down the lake, was the first naval fight
between the newly formed United States
and Great Britain. A brief sketch Of this
important engaemeHt may not be out OF
place
MORE VIGOROUS EFFORTS.
The British ministry resolved on more
vigorous efforts to crush the revolution.
Sir Guy Carleton was instructed to invade
New York by way of Lake Champlan,
and secure the upper Hudson and Mohawk
valley. Carleton exerted himself to get to-
gether feet three laCge vessels, sent
from England. were taken apart at st.
Johns, transported to the lake and put to-
gether. Twenty gunboats and over POO
transports were collected and manned by
700 seamen and guners. Upon this ilotlla
Carleton embarked his army and prepared
for invasion.
/ ARNOLD'S ENERGY.
Washington, fully advised of Cartoons
movements, selected Arnold to combat them
That energetic and capable officer-lhe very
best all-around fighter of the revolution
established himself a Skeenes bore {Wh; e.
halD, where, by untiring efforts and des-
perate energy, he prepared to meet the
threatened invasion. The timber Cor ms
vessels was standing in the Adirondack
forest in June; shipbuilders, artisans and
workmen, gunners, men and munitions
were in remote localities, but every obsta-
Gle was overcome, and in sixty days Ar
mold was ready for the foe He had some
experience in seafaring. His mprovised
fleet consisted of ten vessels, carrying fif-
tyfive guns and seventy eight swivels,
with 400 brave and determined men. The
most formidable of the vessels was the
Royal Savage a name doubtless suggest
ed by Britain's treatment Of her colonies.
A STRONG POSITION.
August 90 l776 Arnold sailed down the
lake, passing Tlconderoga where Gates
was in command of a small garrison; pa vt
Crown Point, Schuyler Island. Va!cour,
Hero. La Motto, and eight miles below to
Wind Mill Point, where Re found Carrie
toms outpost. Falling back to Valcour,
where the lake on the west side Us much
contracted. Arnold took position so that
Carleton could not attack with his whole
force With his vessels well protected Ly
the island. he awaited Cartoons APP
proach. The strategy has been commend
cd by the best naval authorities, and Gen.
Wilkinson, who aftSWard became COM
mander- in-chief of the American army ana
who was at Ticonderoga oH Gates staff
and not friendly to Arnold declared the
position uneNceptionable. | have recent
slider
admirable.
THE FIRST NAVAL BATTLE.
October II the British fleet approached,
and then enSued the first naval battle be-
tween the United States and Ora Britain.
Capt. Pringle in command of the attack
ing force, opened fire on the Royal Saw
age at II a m Arnold was on his battle
ship Congress, and fought like lion
at bay, pointing almost every gun with
his own hands, and cheering his men with
voice and gesture" The engagement last
ed seven hours, when the British with
drew. The Royal Savage grounded during
the enga cement and had to be abandoned.
During the night the British burned her.
She lies near the small island of StaVe.
where her timbeIs can now be seen at a
certain stage of the water. Both fleets
suffered severely, but Anolds was so
badly cut up that Carleton expected TO
force the war and capture the fotilla. The
congress was hulled twelve times and re-
ceived seven shots btween wind and water,
1.-THE roar of cannon was heard at Ticot-
lderoga.
A DESPERATE RUNNING FIGHT.
Convinced he could not successfully re-
lsit the superior force of the enemy, Ar
mold decided to retreat during the night.
This he did, forcing his way through the
british fleet, reaching Schuyler Island
early next mornng. There he sank two
of the badly crippled gondoas Carleton
was in hot pursuit, and when near Split
Rock, Essex bay, where the lake is broad
and deep-nearly 800 feet-an engagement
took place, Against his disabled vessels
the whole force of the enemy was exert,
ed. The Washington received broadside
and was taken, but Arnold. on the Con-
eress, with four gondolas. maintained u
desperate running fight of four hours
while the balance of his fleet made rapid
sail to Crown Point. Against ship of
eighteen guns. two schooncrs Carrying
twelve Founders. making forty-four guns
pouring their concentrated fire upon his
single vessel. the fight looked hopeless
but the brave commander closed tles'cely
up with his enemy and pointing his own
guns fought with desperation unknown
before in naval warfare. Nothing could
surpass the valor of the combat Finally
with seven vessels around him. all pouring
their fire upon the Congress, her deck
covered WIN INC ucau anu uSilS, ne IAN
his vessels into this small bay mot a
creek, as some historians have it, ten
miles from Crown Point fired and blew
them up, himself remaining on board I'M
til the fuse was applied, lest the British
should attempt to strike his flag. The
men were marched to Chimney Point and
then forwarded to Crown Point
"RRAVEST OF THE BRAVE"
The question has been raised whether Ar
nuld could have made the march withn
the time mentioned. | have been over the
route and have no hesitation In stating
that it was entirely practicable. the shore
Is smooth, and there is nothing to prevent
1.-The accomplishment Arnold had now