On this day in 1776, the Continental Navy defeated the British Royal Navy on Lake Champlain. The Battle of Valcour Island was an important turning point in the War for American Independence, and cemented America's place as a naval super-power.

The Battle of Valcour Island occured on October 11, 1776, in Lake Champlain. General Benedict Arnold led a makeshift fleet of American boats against 25 British ships and hundreds more smaller boats. Despite the fact that the Continental Navy was outgunned, outnumbered, and outmaneuvered, they held the line against the Royal Navy for two days. The British retreated on the night of October 13, and their plans to invade the colonies from the north were foiled. The Battle of Valcour Island was one of the most important battles of the entire war, and a turning point for the Continental Navy. <br><br>The British were set to attack the colonies from the north. They assembled a massive fleet of ships in Montreal and Canada, intent on marching down to New York City. <br><br>General Washington and General Arnold knew that the best way to defeat the Royal Navy was in a narrow, confined space with little room to maneuver. They decided to anchor their ships and wait for the Royal Navy on Lake Champlain. They chose Valcour Island, which is right at the northern end of Lake Champlain, and is sandwiched in between the western shore of the lake and a raised finger of land. This traditional naval tactic known as "crossing the T," where two opposing fleets are perpendicular to each other, guarantees victory for the fleet that is across the top. In other words, if you can position your ships at a right angle to the front of the opposing fleet, you can attack the head of the enemy fleet from the side, while their ships in the middle and the back of their fleet can't get into position to attack you. This tactic only works on calm waters like a lake, because you need complete control over your movements. On an open sea, with waves and currents, this tactic would be much harder to use. <br><br>The British took the bait, and met the Continental Navy at anchor on Lake Champlain. The British attempted to complete the "T" but the Continental Navy was in position first, and perfectly anchored across the T. The British tried to attack from the flank, but the Continental Navy sank their only other ship that could outmaneuver them. The British tried to attack from the front, but the Continental Navy was anchored in place, and easily defeated the British ships. The British tried to bypass the Continental Navy by sending ships around the back side of Valcour Island, but the Continental Navy had thought of that first, and met them on their flanks. The British Navy was defeated on all fronts, and fled on the night of October 13, 1776. <br><br>This was the first time the Royal Navy had lost a battle since 1745. The British invasion was momentarily foiled, and the Continental Army was free to defeat the British at the Battle of Saratoga, which led to the French signing a treaty with the Americans and declaring war on the British. Without the Battle of Valcour Island, there would be no United States of America. <br><br>The Battle of Valcour Island is one of the most important battles in the history of the world, and shows how the Continental Navy was able to hold its own against the greatest Navy of its time. The bravery and cunning of the Continental Navy and General Arnold will be remembered forever as the foundation of the American spirit.