Frequently we share a different historic image on the Essex on Lake Champlain Facebook page and invite our viewers to play some Vintage Essex Trivia.

Take a look at this vintage artifact. This scene is on the front of a small card a little smaller than a playing card. There is information on about the battle on the back – can you guess which battle this may be depicting? Which war? The whereabouts of a location?

One ship is flying a British flag and the other is an American flag, which tells us this is a conflict between those two nations.

Here is what the community had to say:

Dianne B Lansing: The Battle of Valcour? War of 1812?

Morgan Brooks: Valcour for sure. Best thing Benedict Arnold ever did.

Bill Gough: Valcour, War of 1812.

Below is the back side of this artifact, which has some facts about the battle it depicts, answering the preceding questions about this naval engagement.

The card reads:

Naval Battle on Lake Champlain 

We think of decisive naval battles on seas and oceans but seldom on inland lakes. The naval battle on Lake Champlain ended the War of 1812. The British army, marching on the land, planned to capture Plattsburg with British ships attacking from the water. Capt. Macdonough with 14 vessels took position at the mouth of the harbor. With anchor cables fore and aft under the ship, he could turn his ship in any direction without sail. The British attacked Sept. 11, 1814, and met terrific fire from out fleet. The British were licked and their troops retreated.

It also tells us who printed the card with its copyright: “Data Courtesy Peabody Museum of Salem. Printed in USA.”

Have any thoughts to share? Please leave a comment below!

Share Your Essex Artifacts

If you want to share your old photos of Essex (also brochures, postcards, menus, tickets, artifacts, etc.) on the blog please email us at editor [AT] essexonlakechamplain [DOT] com.