USS Viper (1814)

USS "Viper" (1814) was a heavily-armed galley commissioned by the United States Navy for service in the War of 1812. She was successful in her operations against the British on Lake Champlain, and was retired after the war.

Built in Vermont

The second ship to be so named by the Navy, "Viper" was one of six large galleys hastily built and commissioned in the mid-1814 at Vergennes, Vermont, for use by Commodore Thomas Macdonough against the British on Lake Champlain.

Service in the War of 1812

Under the command of Lt. Francis Mitchell, "Viper" participated in the capture of the British squadron, under Commodore George Downie, off Plattsburg, New York, on 11 September 1814, where she helped drive the surviving enemy gunboats back towards Canada.

This stunning American naval victory ended English attempts to invade and split the United States in two by way of the Lake Champlain-Hudson River corridor, immeasurably strengthening the American bargaining position during peace negotiations at Ghent. "Viper" remained with the squadron for the remainder of the war but, with the return of peace, was partially dismantled and laid up at Whitehall, New York.

Post-war disposition

"Viper" was sold at Whitehall at public sale in 1825.

See also

* United States Navy
* War of 1812

References

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