Gunboat Philadelphia

1776

The Gunboat Philadelphia, which was sunk by the British during the Battle of Valcour Island, in Lake Champlain, in October 1776, was raised by Colonel Lorenzo Hagglund in 1935. It was exhibited in subsequent years at various points around Lake Champlain. In Hagglund's will, the boat was left to the Smithsonian, and installed in the soon to be opened Museum of History and Technology in 1964. Interesting note: the boat was installed on the east side of the third floor of the museum, before the exterior wall was put in place.