Era: 1700-1815

Apex of Sail

Philadelphia II

The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum’s replica of the gunboat Philadelphia (referred to in contemporary documents as a gundalow or gondola) of the Continental Navy. Manned by Continental Army soldiers, she was part of a fleet under the command of General Benedict Arnold that fought the 11 October 1776 Battle of Valcour Island against a larger [glossary_exclude]Royal[/glossary_exclude] Navy fleet on Lake Champlain. Although many of the American boats in the battle were damaged, Philadelphia was one of the few that actually sank that day. On the days following the main battle, most of the other boats in the American fleet were sunk, burned, or captured. She is one of a few such vessels used during the American Revolutionary War to be raised.

Echo, HMS

HMS Echo was a 16-gun sloop-of-war launched in 1782 and broken up in 1797.

Niagra (US Brig)

This American brig was commanded by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, whose fleet defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie, 1813.

Constitution, USS

Famed American frigate that became known as “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812.

Bellona, HMS

The 74-gun ship, which was built in varying configurations, comprised the backbone of the British Navy throughout the Napoleonic Wars.

Royal Caroline

Royal Caroline, built for King George II in 1749 and named after his deceased wife, was the first British ship built specifically as a royal yacht.

Philadelphia (Gundalow)

Philadelphia was a gunboat manned by Continental Army soldiers during the Battle of Valcour Island (Lake Champlain), October 1776.

32-Pound Carronade

A powerful, short-range gun in use between the late 1700’s and mid 1800’s.