Click here to learn more about this site Click here to return to our home page Click here to visit our "clickable" map of local historic sites Click here to visit Part I of our huge two-part Table of Contents Click here to visit our Gift Shop. The perfect place for unique and wonderful things! Click here to search the site Click here to learn about using the images and materials published on this site Click here to contact us

The Online Resource for Historians, Educators, Students and Visitors since 1997
Commemorating the 400th Anniversary of Samuel de Champlain's Explorations on the lake
This is a graphics-intensive publication, to fully experience the site we recommend you have JavaScript enabled.
 Permission to reproduce material from this site must be obtained from the publisher. See copyright notice. Privacy Policy

Looking for a great read about lake history?

Dive deep and get the whole story!
Click HERE for more information or to order!		 Praise for Jim Millard's new "Bastions on the Border..."

 "It is really a terrific book... [Millard's] exhaustive study of the documents connected to the forts and masterful presentation of the materials is laudable...quality and variety of the images is terrific..."

Dr. Russell P. Bellico- Historian/Author
"Sails and Steam in the Mountains: A Maritime and Military History of Lake George and Lake Champlain" and other titles

    Twitter, too!

It was here, below the falls opposite the bend in the river, that Thomas Macdonough constructed the War of 1812 fleet that sailed down the Otter Creek to victory at Plattsburg.

War of 1812 shipyard
Vergennes, Vermont

By James P. Millard

macdonough.jpg (84094 bytes)


Simple monument to  Macdonough across the  street from the river  

People can accomplish amazing feats in time of war. Here at the falls on the Otter Creek, a young Lieutenant named Thomas Macdonough built a fleet of warships that would win a crucial victory against the world's foremost naval power, Great Britain, at the Battle of Plattsburgh.

Here, within 40 days after the first tree was cut down for her decks, was launched the 734 ton Brig Saratoga. Bristling with 26 guns, the Saratoga was 143' long and some 36' wide. Work was started on the ship on March 2, 1814. No doubt there was still snow on the ground and ice on the lake. By March 7th her keel had been laid. On April 11, 1814, the mighty Saratoga  was launched, pitch still oozing from her timbers.

Here was built the schooner Ticonderoga. 120' long, 26' wide, carrying 16 guns, she was built on the keel of an incomplete steamboat. 

Commodore Thomas Macdonough
 

  

  

View down Otter Creek from the site of the shipyard

Site of the shipyard, the  falls on Otter Creek at   Vergennes, Vermont 

Click on the thumbnails to see a larger image.

Also built at Vergennes was the Brig Eagle, aka Surprise and the 75' long and 15' wide gunboats named Allen, Burrows, Borer, Centipede, Nettle and Viper. The Gunboats, also known as Row Galleys, were quite unique in that they each had two masts with triangular sails, and they were equipped with 40 oars for rowing.

For an account of how these ships fared in the pivotal Battle of Plattsburgh, click HERE.

Help Support This Site. Visit our Book & Gift Shop!
The Perfect place for unique and wonderful gifts... 

Help Support This Site. Visit our Book Shop!

*America's Historic Lakes is a favorite of educators around the world. You can feel confident that the material
on this site is accurate, well-researched, properly cited and presented.

Copyright © 1997, 2009. All rights reserved.
America's Historic Lakes
The Lake Champlain and Lake George Historical Site
Post Office Box 262
South Hero, Vermont 05486-0262
 mail@historiclakes.org

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Please check your JUNK EMAIL or SPAM filter for our reply.
We NEVER spam but have discovered our messages are sometimes discarded by spam filters.
Be sure to add mail@historiclakes.org to your address book or list of acceptable senders.

We regret that we are unable to accommodate personal requests for information or research.

Electronically published materials are protected by the same copyright laws as conventional or printed works.
Permission to reproduce material from this site must be obtained from the publisher.

Disclaimer of Liability

The historical information on this web site is provided as a public service by America’s Historic Lakes. America’s Historic Lakes has attempted to be as accurate as possible in our presentation of this historical material. However, we make no claims, guarantees or promises about the accuracy, currency, or completeness of the information provided. In no event shall the publishers; America’s Historic Lakes or their agents, be liable for any errors or omissions with respect to any information on this site. This website occasionally provides links to sites of other organizations maintained by third parties. These links do not constitute an endorsement of the content, viewpoint, accuracy, opinions, policies, products, services, or accessibility of that website. Links to third-party websites are provided as a public service and convenience to users of our site; America’s Historic Lakes does not control, endorse or recommend the content on sites we may link to. Once connected to another website, you are subject to the terms and conditions of that website.