Valcour Bay facts for kids
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Valcour Bay
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A 1776 map showing the Battle of Valcour Bay
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| Nearest city | Plattsburgh, NY |
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| Built | 1776 |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000508 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | January 1, 1961 |
Valcour Bay is a narrow stretch of water, like a small channel, located between the mainland of New York and Valcour Island. It is about four miles south of Plattsburgh, New York. This bay is famous because a very important event, the Battle of Valcour Island, happened here during the American Revolutionary War.
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Valcour Bay: A Historic Waterway
Valcour Bay is a special place in American history. It's not just a beautiful bay; it played a key role in the fight for American independence. The bay's location on Lake Champlain made it a strategic spot during the war.
What is Valcour Bay?
Imagine a narrow passage of water connecting a larger lake to the land. That's what a strait is, and Valcour Bay is a strait. It's found on the western side of Lake Champlain, near the city of Plattsburgh. The bay is protected by Valcour Island, which sits just offshore.
The Battle of Valcour Island
On October 11, 1776, a major naval battle took place in Valcour Bay. This was during the American Revolutionary War, when the American colonies were fighting for freedom from Great Britain. An American fleet, led by Benedict Arnold, positioned itself in the bay. They were waiting for the British forces.
The American ships were smaller and not as strong as the British ones. However, their smart position in the narrow bay made it hard for the British to attack effectively. The battle was fierce, and the American fleet suffered heavy losses. Many ships were damaged or destroyed.
Why Was This Battle Important?
Even though the Americans lost many ships, the Battle of Valcour Island was a big success for them. It slowed down the British army's advance. The British had planned to move south and cut off the New England colonies from the rest. But the battle delayed them so much that winter arrived.
Because of this delay, the British had to stop their attack and retreat. This gave the American army more time to prepare. A year later, in 1777, the Americans won a huge victory at the Battle of Saratoga. This win convinced France to join the war and help the Americans. Many historians believe that the Battle of Valcour Island was a key event that led to the American victory at Saratoga. It was a turning point in the Revolutionary War.
A National Historic Landmark
Because of its important role in American history, Valcour Bay was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1961. This means it's a place that has special historical value to the United States. It helps us remember the bravery and struggles of those who fought for independence.
Images for kids
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Contemporary watercolor drawing of the American line of battle by Charles Randle. Drawing is titled as follows: New England Armed Vessels in Valcure Bay, Lake Champlain [including Royal Savage, Revenge, Lee, Trumble, Washington, Congress, Philadelphia, New York, Jersey, Connecticut, Providence, New Haven, Spitfire, Boston, and Liberty] commanded by Benedict Arnold.
