General Butler (ship) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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General Butler (shipwreck)
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 Location in Vermont
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| Location | Burlington Bay, Burlington, Vermont |
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| Area | 2.9 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1862 |
| Built by | Hoskins, Wesley J.; Hoskins, John |
| Architectural style | Sailing canal schooner |
| NRHP reference No. | 98001269 |
| Added to NRHP | October 22, 1998 |
The General Butler was a special kind of boat called a schooner-rigged sailing canal boat. It sailed on Lake Champlain and through the Champlain Canal in Vermont and New York. Built in 1862, the boat was named after a famous American Civil War General, Benjamin Franklin Butler.
In 1876, while carrying heavy marble, the General Butler hit the Burlington Breakwater and sank. Today, its wreck is still mostly in one piece! It was found in 1980 and is now a Vermont State Historic Site. This means it's an important historical place. It's also a popular spot for divers to explore. In 1998, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
About the General Butler
The General Butler was a unique boat. It could sail on both the wide waters of Lake Champlain and the narrow Champlain Canal. This made it very useful for moving goods.
Boat Design and Features
The boat was about 88 feet (27 m) long. It was 14 feet (4.3 m) wide and its cargo area was 6 feet (1.8 m) deep. It was built from strong maple and oak wood.
Because it sailed in calm waters, it had a shorter keel. This helped it move easily through canals. It also had two tall masts with sails, like a schooner.
Building the Boat
The General Butler was built in 1862. It was made by the Hoskins and Ross Shipyard in Essex, New York. This boat was one of the first built after the locks on the Champlain Canal were made bigger.
The Final Voyage
The General Butler had three different owners during its 15 years of service. The last owner was William Montgomery. He was known for taking risks.
The Sinking of the Ship
On December 9, 1876, the General Butler was carrying a load of marble. It was traveling from Isle La Motte to Burlington. The weather was very bad that day.
Suddenly, the boat's steering system broke. As it tried to go around the southern end of the Burlington Breakwater, it crashed.
Everyone is Safe
Luckily, everyone on board was able to get to safety. The captain, a deck hand, and two teenage girls were on the boat. The girls were Captain Montgomery's daughter and her friend. They all managed to reach the breakwater before the boat went down.
Soon after the sinking, the boat's masts and rigging (the ropes and sails) were taken off.
Discovering the Wreck
The shipwreck of the General Butler was found in 1980. It lies about 35 feet (11 m) deep in the water. It is about 300 feet (91 m) west of the southern end of the Burlington Breakwater.
What the Wreck Looks Like Today
The wreck is still mostly in one piece. The masts and rigging are gone, but the rest of the boat is there. You can even see where Captain Montgomery tried to fix the steering system before it sank.
The General Butler wreck has been studied many times. It is now a Vermont State Historic Site. This means it's protected and important for history. Certified divers are allowed to visit and explore this amazing underwater site.
