James L. Nelson Benedict Arnold's Navy

In the early days of the American Revolution, George Washington and others hit on a strategy to invade Canada (on the assumption the Canadians really wanted to be invaded). Spearheading that attack was General James Montgomery, sweeping up Lake Champlain, and Colonel Benedict Arnold leading a column of men through the wilds of Maine. The invasion was a success until American forces were stopped after a winter attack on Quebec. After that, both sides could only wait until spring to see which side would receive reinforcements first.

In May of1776, it was the British who first got more men to Quebec, and the Americans were quickly driven from the country. The only thing standing between them and an invasion of America down Lake Champlain was the lake itself and the small American navy there. That set off a frantic ship-building program on both sides, which culminated in the desperate and bloody Battle of Valcour Island, a decisive moment in Revolutionary War history and one of the most unique naval battles in history