Land Tortoise (shipwreck) facts for kids
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Radeau Land Tortoise (Shipwreck)
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 Location in New York
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| Nearest city | Lake George, NY |
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| Built | 1758 |
| Architect | Samuel Cobb, Falmouth, Massachusetts Bay Colony |
| NRHP reference No. | 95000819 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 10, 1995 |
| Designated NHL | August 6, 1998 |
The Land Tortoise was a special military ship built in 1758. It served on Lake George in New York during the French and Indian War. This ship was a "radeau," which is like a large, flat raft used for war. It was sunk on purpose in 1758, meant to be used again later. But it was never brought back up.
The Land Tortoise was found in 1990. Today, it is a very important historical site. It's thought to be the oldest complete warship in North America. It's also the only one of its kind left. Divers with special training can visit this underwater site.
Contents
Building the Land Tortoise
The Land Tortoise was built in 1758. The British wanted to take back control of Lake George. This was after they lost Fort William Henry in 1757. The ship was built by local soldiers. Captain Samuel Cobb from Falmouth, which is now Portland, Maine, led the work.
The ship was built very quickly, in just over a month. After it was launched, people tested it. They said it "rowed well with 26 oars." Two days later, it was sunk on purpose. They added heavy items to make it sink. The plan was to bring it back up in the spring of 1759.
Why the Ship Was Sunk
The Land Tortoise was sunk in a spot that was too deep. This made it impossible to bring it back up later. So, in 1759, a new radeau was built instead. This new ship was named the Invincible.
Discovering the Shipwreck
The sunken Land Tortoise lies about 105 feet (32 meters) deep. It is in the southern part of Lake George. This spot is about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) north of Lake George Beach. The ship is about 50 feet (15 meters) long. It has seven sides, each about 16 to 18 feet (4.9 to 5.5 meters) wide. It does not have a keel, which is a main support beam. It had seven openings for cannons.
The ship was found in 1990. A team of amateur divers studied it for four years. A professional archaeologist helped guide their research.
A National Treasure
The site of the Land Tortoise was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. It was then named a National Historic Landmark in 1998. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States. You can find a special plaque about it. It is located where Beach Road and Fort George Road meet, at the south end of Lake George.
