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.

Length Overall: 53 feet 2 inchesBeam: 15 feet 2 inchesDraft: 23 inches, fully loadedDepth of mid-ship, bottom to rail 4 feetDisplacement: 29 tons, fully loadedSail Plan: Topsail and Mainsailweaponry: One 12-pounder two 9-pounders, eight swivel guns

General Facts About the Philadelphia

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 Battle of Valcour Island in the Revolutionary War. The cannon ball weighed 24 pounds. The shipwreck was found in 1935.

Valcour Island, N.Y

Satellite image of Valcour Island

The Philadelphia was sunk by a 24 pound cannonball at the Battle of Valcour Island.

Philadelphia ReplicaMaritime MuseumVergennes, Vermont

Lake Champlain

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.