On October 11, 1776 during the Battle of Valcour Bay one of the cannon aboard the gunboat New York exploded, killing Patriot sailor Thomas Rogers and injuring his crewmen Jonas Holden and Daniel McCay.
The first major fleet-on-fleet naval battle of the American Revolutionary War, the battle was fought on Lake Champlain off Plattsburgh, as future notorious traitor Benedict Arnold managed to delayed a massive British invasion fleet.
Despite being outgunned and losing most of their ships during the initial engagement, the American fleet retreated past a British naval blockade under the cover of darkness. Though a tactical loss for the Americans, the battle delayed the British advance from Canada for an entire year.
Understanding how and why this cannon accident happened continues to be part of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum’s research.
Using a 3D printed reproduction of the cannon, museum educators will host an exploration of what each piece can tell us about the moment of the explosion and how the aftermath of the accident affected Thomas, Jonas, and Daniel’s families.
This free event will take place on July 25, 2026 from 10 am until noon at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, located at 4472 Basin Harbor Road in Vergennes, Vermont.
This program was funded through a grant from the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission and the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.
Read more about the Battle of Valcour Bay.
Illustration: Ernest Haas modern painting “Cannon Exploding on Gunboat New York” (courtesy of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum).
