- USS Washington (1776 lateen-rigged galley)
USS "Washington" (1776 lateen-rigged galley) was a
galley in the service of theContinental Congress during theAmerican Civil War . "Washington" was capable of propulsion by sail or by the paddling of oarsmen. During a battle with British warships, "Washington" “struck her colors” and was captured by the British.Built on Lake Champlain
The third ship to be named "Washington" -- a lateen-rigged, two-masted galley -- was built on
Lake Champlain atSkenesboro, New York , in the autumn of 1776. On6 October 1776 , the galley joined the small fleet established and commanded by Brigadier GeneralBenedict Arnold .Battle of Valcour Island
"Washington" -- commanded by Brigadier General
David Waterbury , Arnold's second in command -- was among Arnold's ships that anchored in the lee of Valcour Island to await the expected English move.When that lakeward push began, Capt. Thomas Pringle, of the
Royal Navy , led a 25-ship fleet past Valcour Island on11 October . Pringle sighted the American fleet after he had passed it and attacked from leeward. In the ensuing action, "Washington" suffered the heaviest damage of any ship in Arnold's fleet; Waterbury, her commander, subsequently reported that she wasArnold regrouped his shattered fleet and slipped past the British on
12 October with muffled oars, the Americans slipping noiselessly past Pringle's fleet in a desperate attempt at escape. However, after a long chase, the British caught the retreating Continental force the following day, on13 October , at Split Rock near Crown Point.After the battle
Arnold managed to beach and destroy four of the galleys and his own
flagship , "Congress", while most of the remaining ships escaped upriver. Only "Washington" -- at the rear of the van -- was captured by the enemy; she struck her colors, as Arnold reported later, "... after receiving a few broadsides."Final disposition
"Washington" was eventually taken into British service, apparently retaining her name, and was re-rigged as a
brig . Her subsequent fate, however, is unrecorded.See also
*
Continental Navy
*American Revolution
*Battle of Valcour Island Reference
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