USS Liberty (1775)

The USS Liberty was a schooner built at Skenesboro, New York, on Lake Champlain, for wealthy landowner and former British Army Captain Philip Skene. It was captured on 11 May 1775 during a raid on Skenesboro led by Capt. Samuel Herrick, an early action in the American Revolution.

For other ships with the same name, see Liberty (ship).
History
United States
NameLiberty
BuilderLake Champlain at Skenesborough, New York
Acquired11 May 1775
Out of service1777
FateDestroyed summer 1777
General characteristics
Typeschooner
Sail plangaff-rigged
Armament
  • 4 x 4-pounder guns
  • 4 x 2-pounder guns

Service history

Originally named Katherine, she was renamed Liberty to honor the patriot cause.[1]

She sailed to Fort Ticonderoga on 13 May 1775 and filled out her crew. Later that day she got underway for Fort Crown Point where she arrived at sunset the following day. On 16 May she pushed on toward St. Jean, the British shipyard on the lake. North of Isle La Motte, the schooner was becalmed, but General Benedict Arnold with a party of 35 men pressed on in small boats. After rowing all night the raiders surprised the fort and captured the sloop George, mounting six 6-pounders.[1]

Liberty and the prize, renamed Enterprise, gave the Americans undisputed control of the entire lake. The two ships, reinforced by new vessels built at Skenesboro, supported the Continental forces during the Canadian campaign, and prepared to defend the lake when the British assumed the offensive. During the Battle of Valcour Island, Liberty, away on a supply run, escaped the fate of most of Arnold's fleet, only to be destroyed the following summer as Burgoyne marched south.[1]

References
  1. DANFS 2015.

Bibliography
  • DANFS (29 July 2015). "Liberty I (Schooner)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 29 July 2016.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • Priolo, Gary P. (31 July 2015). "Liberty (I)". NavSource Naval History. Retrieved 29 July 2016.

Further reading
  • Nelson, James L (2006). Benedict Arnold's Navy. New York: McGraw Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-146806-0. OCLC 255396879.
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