BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A dark day for the American navy on this day in history.

On October 11, 1776, the American fleet commanded by Benedict Arnold ran head-on into the British on Lake Champlain. It happened in the narrow strait between New York and Valcour Island. Most of the Continental Army’s ships were captured or destroyed, but the spirited defense waylaid the British advance toward new York city.

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