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Pattern Category: Naval and Marine Series: Shell Border, Irregular or Grotto-Shaped Center Object Type: Dinner and Dessert Wares Dimensions: Description:
This plate is an example of Enoch Wood's design of placing the title of the view within the design. This was a determinative battle on Lake Champlain. Shortly after the battle began, Downie was killed and MacDonnough knocked unconscious, but only for a short while. Manned by inexperienced crews, the British fleet had trouble dealing with the winds in the bay. After two hours, nearly every vessel had sustained serious damage including both MacDonnough's flagship Saratoga and the British flagship Confiance.
MacDonnough ordered the bow anchors cut, and used other anchors to spin the Saratoga around. This allowed MacDonnough's fleet to present its undamaged ship sides,and a new set of cannons against the badly damaged side of the British ships. Personally taking command of one of the cannon, MacDonnough ordered the unused and undamaged portside guns to open fire. The renewed fire was so devastating that Confiance was unable to return the fire and soon lowered its colors. With most of the British fleet disabled or sinking, the British officers boarded Saratoga to offer their swords (of surrender) to MacDonnough. When he saw the officers, MacDonnough replied, Gentlemen, return your swords to your scabbards, you are worthy of them. MacDonnough's victory had stopped the British offensive in its tracks. Also, Prevost had achieved what the U.S. government had been unable to do for the entire war up to that point: to bring the state of Vermont into the war. Alexander Macomb was promoted to Major General and became commanding general of the U.S. Army in 1828. Thomas MacDonnough was promoted to Commodore and is remembered as the Hero of Lake Champlain.
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