Plattsburgh discusses raising Revolutionary War ship "Spitfire" out of Lake Champlain

[sl8]

https://www.wcax.com/2024/04/26/plattsburgh-discusses-raising-revolutionary-war-ship-spitfire-out-lake-champlain/
(2:14 min. video at link)

Plattsburgh discusses raising Revolutionary War ship "Spitfire" out of Lake Champlain

By Alek LaShomb
Published: Apr. 25, 2024 at 10:29 PM EDT|Updated: 8 hours ago

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (WCAX) - Underwater archaeologist Art Cohn says talks continue to progress over raising the “Spitfire” a gunboat that was under Benedict Arnold’s command during the Battle of Valcour Island in 1776.

Cohn was on the team in 1997 that discovered the boat’s location at the bottom of Lake Champlain. Back in 2017, the idea of raising the ship was floated around, and now he says those talks are ramping up.

“I have been doing this work for over 40 years, I have never recommended a boat be recovered, until now. We have identified four studies we are ready to do, four contracts to do our due diligence,” said Cohn.

He says the studies include engineering, a business plan, conservation for when the boat is removed from the lake, and lastly, a look at an exhibition facility for a permanent display.

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[Onthefly]

1. Thanks! Art Cohn is an appreciated Lake Champlain archeologist

Had the pleasure to stay on Lake Champlain near Swanton during the eclipse. Lived in Plattsburgh years ago. Benedict Arnold designed the gondolas for military use on the lake.

[Biophilic]

2. When I was a kid I went to a camp on Lake Champlain.

One of the trips we could take was camping over night on Valcour Island. It was a wonderful and beautify place out in the middle of the lake. But I don't think we ever learned about a battle with Benedict Arnold as hero for the colonies. Well, it was the late 50s and early 60s so maybe it was too off key to talk about Arnold as a hero.