Identification & Site Information

• Name: Philadelphia
• Former Names: None
• Registration Number: Nil (pre-dates modern vessel registration systems)
• Date Built: 1776
• Builder: Continental Navy, under the direction of Brigadier General Benedict Arnold
• Launched: Summer 1776
• Length: 16.2 m (53 ft)
• Beam: 4.6 m (15 ft)
• Depth: 1.5 m (5 ft)
• Tonnage: Estimated 29 tons displacement 
• Date Lost: October 11, 1776
• Location: Valcour Bay, Lake Champlain (New York side)
• Depth of Wreck: Approximately 18 m (60 ft)

Vessel Type

Gondola (Gunboat) — A flat-bottomed, single-mast, oar-and-sail-powered gunboat, armed with a small complement of cannon.

Description

The Philadelphia was one of several small warships hastily constructed in 1776 by the American revolutionary forces to confront the advancing British Navy on Lake Champlain. Designed for shallow-water warfare, these vessels were quickly built, heavily armed for their size, and intended to operate in tight formations to maximize their combined firepower.

Philadelphia was armed with three cannon — one bow gun and two side-mounted guns — making her capable of delivering a respectable broadside despite her small size. Her flat bottom allowed her to navigate the shallows of Lake Champlain, a critical advantage during the Battle of Valcour Island.

History

The Philadelphia’s place in history is secured by her role in the Battle of Valcour Island, a significant naval action fought on October 11, 1776, between a small fleet of American vessels commanded by Benedict Arnold and a superior British fleet. This battle was part of the larger struggle to control the strategic waterways connecting the St. Lawrence River, Lake Champlain, and ultimately the Hudson River corridor — a critical path between Canada and the rebelling colonies.

The Philadelphia was stationed in Arnold’s defensive line as part of a desperate attempt to block the British advance down the lake. After hours of intense fighting, Philadelphia suffered severe structural damage from British cannon fire. A 24-pound shot, later identified as British ordnance cast by John Fuller between 1740 and 1760, smashed through her starboard side just above the waterline, causing uncontrollable flooding. Philadelphia sank shortly thereafter, her American flag still flying.

While the Battle of Valcour Island ended in a tactical defeat for Arnold, the fierce American resistance delayed the British advance into New York until the following year — a crucial respite that gave the Continental Army time to regroup. Philadelphia, therefore, became a symbol of early American naval courage and resilience.

Philadelphia lay undisturbed for over 160 years until she was located and raised in 1935. Her preservation in the cold freshwater of Lake Champlain allowed researchers an unparalleled glimpse into Revolutionary War naval technology. Among the artifacts recovered were personal effects, musket balls, cannon shot, and even skeletal remains of one crew member.

Final Disposition

Philadelphia was recovered in 1935 and her Hull was remarkably intact. Today, she is a centrepiece exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. — one of the best-preserved warships from the Revolutionary War era.

Located By & Date Found

• Located: 1935 
• Raised By: Rupert Schalk & Capt. L. F. Hagglund, with assistance from local historians and salvage experts

NOTMARs & Advisories

• The original wreck site is now part of a designated historic area on Lake Champlain.
• There are no current active NOTMARs directly related to the site, as the Hull is no longer in situ.
• Valcour Bay remains a site of archaeological interest, and divers should respect all heritage protection laws when exploring the area.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Lake Champlain Maritime Museum
• Smithsonian National Museum of American History
• David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

Philadelphia’s story highlights the fragility and ingenuity of the early American Navy. Built in haste, underfunded, and facing a far superior foe, her role in the Battle of Valcour Island remains a remarkable case study in asymmetric naval warfare. Although she sank, the delay she caused directly contributed to the American victory at Saratoga in 1777 — a turning point in the Revolutionary War.

Her preserved Hull and recovered artifacts provide a tangible connection to the men who fought to secure American independence, and her legacy endures not only in maritime history but in the broader story of American resilience and resourcefulness.

Keywords

Philadelphia, Battle of Valcour Island, Lake Champlain Shipwreck, Benedict Arnold, American Revolutionary War, Continental Navy, Historic Naval Wreck, 18th Century Shipbuilding, Early American Naval History, Revolutionary War Wrecks