Revolutionary War Cannonball
Cannonball from the Battle of Valcour Island. During the Revolutionary War, the British forces in Canada wanted to establish naval supremacy down the strategic Lake Champlain/Hudson River corridor to New York, which would allow them to effectively cut the colonies in half. In an effort to thwart this effort, the Continental Navy established a flotilla of ships under the command of General Benedict Arnold. The two forces met on October 11, 1776 in the Battle of Valcour Island. The British outgunned the flotilla and scored a tactical victory, but the efforts of the American ships resulted in a great strategic victory by delaying the British advance for a year, which was crucial in allowing the Americans to strengthen their Army.
The USS Revenge was a sloop-of-war commanded by Captain Isaac Seamon that was part of the Continental Navy flotilla. After the battle of Valcour Island, only Revenge, another sloop, a schooner, and two galleys reached the protection of Fort Ticonderoga. She remained on the upper lake until July 1777, when a British force under General Burgoyne captured Fort Tinconderoga. There is some disagreement over what happened to the Revenge. Some claim she was captured by the British, while other sources indicate that the sloop may have been burned and sunk to prevent capture.
The USS Revenge was a sloop-of-war commanded by Captain Isaac Seamon that was part of the Continental Navy flotilla. After the battle of Valcour Island, only Revenge, another sloop, a schooner, and two galleys reached the protection of Fort Ticonderoga. She remained on the upper lake until July 1777, when a British force under General Burgoyne captured Fort Tinconderoga. There is some disagreement over what happened to the Revenge. Some claim she was captured by the British, while other sources indicate that the sloop may have been burned and sunk to prevent capture.
The cannonball in my collection is an American 2 pounder from the USS Revenge. The Revenge was armed with four 4 pounder cannons, four 2 pounder cannons and several 1 pounder swivel guns. The cannonball was forged by the Philip Skene Foundry at Skenesborough on Lake Champlain for the ships Liberty and Revenge. It is in good condition with light pitting and a dark patina. The cannonball is 2.48 inches diameter and weighs 2.28 pounds.
