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NavSource Online: "Old Navy" Ship Photo Archive

Congress (I)

Galley:
  • Built in 1776 at Skenesborough, N.Y. by order of of Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, as of the fleet intended to impede British advance southward on Lake Champlain
  • Congress joined Arnold's fleet,n 6 October 1776, serving flagship during the battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain, fought on 11-13 October 1776
  • Congress suffered extensive damage to her hull, mast, and yards at the hands of the vastly superior British force
  • Arnold's fleet, hopeful of further delaying the enemy as well as escaping to Crown Point, slipped through the British line under cover of darkness, 12 October
  • Overtaken the following day at Split Rock, Congress was so shattered that Arnold was obliged to run her ashore and set the ship ablaze
    Specifications:
    Displacement 123 t.
    Length 71' 4"
    Beam 19' 7"
    Depth of Hold 6' 2"
    Draft unknown
    Speed unknown
    Complement 80
    Armament
    four 6-pdrs
    two 12-pdrs two 18-pdrs
    Propulsion oar and sail
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    C0ngress (I) 27k Undated image of the galley Congress (I) with the sloop-of-war Enterprise (I) and other ships at the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain New York, 11-13 October 1776.
    Navy image from "The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships"    		 Robert Hurst
    Royal Savage
    098655804    		 101k A Sketch of the New England Armed Vessels, in Valcure Bay on Lake Champlain as seen in the morning of 11 October 1776. Contemporary artwork by C. Randle, depicting the Continental squadron, under Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, just before the Battle of Valcour Island. The vessels shown include schooner Royal Savage (center) and (from left to right around Royal Savage):
    schooner Revenge (I),
    galley Washington (II),
    gondola Philadelphia (I),
    galley Congress (I),
    gondola Jersey,
    galley Lee (II),
    gondola Boston (I) (in the middle, largely hidden behind Royal Savage's sails),
    galley Spitfire,
    gondola New Haven (I),
    gondola Providence (I),
    gondola Connecticut (I),
    gondola New York (I) ,
    sloop Enterprise (I) and
    galley Trumbull (I).
    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command. Photo # NH 92864     		Robert Hurst
    Congress (I)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 6 May 2022