The General Arnold Launched

[1stnewyorker]

On Sunday May 22 my completed gunboat General Arnold was launched in historic Lake George in upstate NY. After 228 years the General again plies the waters of Ticonderoga! Thanks to all on WB that helped this novice boat builder complete the General. Your input has been very much appreciated. We will be getting our baptism by fire at Fort Ticonderoga in late June where 20 period boats (including a 42 foot cutter) will be fighting it out below the walls of the Fort in Lake Champlain. Thanks again for all your help.

http://www.1stnewyork.org/launching/DSC00055.jpg[/IMG] http://www.1stnewyork.org/launching/under-sail.jpg
http://www.1stnewyork.org/launching/IMG_1009.JPG
[/IMG] [img]http://www.1stnewyork.org/launching/DSC00055.jpg http://www.1stnewyork.org/launching/DSC00056.jpg http://www.1stnewyork.org/launching/IMG_1009.JPG http://www.1stnewyork.org/launching/IMG_1027.JPG http://www.1stnewyork.org/launching/IMG_1051.JPG

[JimD]

:D :cool:

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

:cool: smile.gif Thats COOL :cool: :D

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

Thats not a boat thats a time machine. :D
Fantastic! :cool:

This photo is a keeper eh? ;)

http://www.1stnewyork.org/launching/IMG_1051.JPG

[ 05-23-2005, 10:29 PM: Message edited by: Mr. Know It All ]

[StevenBauer]

Great pics! Don't forget your camera at the big battle. :D

Steven

[wyndham]

Novice no longer skipper. That is a very nice looking boat. You should be very proud.

[Noah]

Nice Canon!

[Ken Hutchins]

That is fantastic, love the boat and the flag. The weather could have been better for you but the clouds and mist make the pictures even better. smile.gif smile.gif

[Garrett Lowell]

At the risk of redundance, that is cool! Nice job, and don't be shy- post as many pics as you want, and don't forget to post some from the June 20th battle!

[PVanderwaart]

Very nice indeed. Or should I say "Wherry nice indeed!" I hope you don't draw the wrong kind of attention from the Dept. of Homeland Security.

[Dave R]

That is way cool!

[J. Dillon]

Congratulations :D A fine looking boat and rig. What poundage cannon? Is that you in your revolutionly outfit ?

Can you tell us about the name ? :confused:
I know Benedict Arnold was quite a hero throughout the war and was wounded. Too bad he made that one mistake that made him infamous instead famous. :(

JD

[paul oman]

Great job!
Keep us posted on how she sails.
Also more pics!

paul oman
progressive epoxy polymers

[htom]

Wow!

[Steve Lansdowne]

I'd say the British Navy doesn't stand a chance!

[Hal Forsen]

Yargh! Fine looking outfit all the way around.

HF

[1stnewyorker]

Thanks everyone for the kind words. Very much appreciated. As a historian and archaeologist, I have been studying Benedict Arnold for many years and feel very strongly that, if not for his efforts at the Battle of Valcour (1776) and at Saratoga (1777), we'd probably be speaking with an English accent and drinking tea rather than coffee. I would never defend his later decision to betray his country-there's no excuse- but I do feel his other contributions have been forgoten. So I named the boat for the General in honor of his service prior to 1780.

So far her sprit rig (18th century style with a lower sprit) it seems to handle very well. I didn't experience the 'harmonic roll" of which I've read, and she is extremely smooth when coming about. I'm still sewing her jib (I'm sewing all her sails by hand- no machines), so it'll be a week or two before I finish. Contrary to what I've often read, the mast does rotate when tacking, so I'm glad I went with a round step. All her blocks, standing rigging, etc. etc. I made using largely traditional materials such as tarred hemp, tarred marlin, etc. Sweeps were made with ash and a drawknife. Her bottom is bronze fastened with cut nails used in the rest of the boat. I began construction about two weeks after this last Thanksgiving.

The cannon (swivel gun) is brass with an 1 1/2 muzzle (1/2 pounder) with a range of a half mile or so.

And yes, that is me in my regimentals at the stern of the General. I am a member of McCracken's Company of the First New York Regiment based largely around Albany and Saratoga New York (www.1stnewyork.org). I am also a member of the Corps of Bateaumen, consisting of a squadron of 6 armed boats, out of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum.

[Wild Wassa]

Congratulations. The launching looks amazing with the uniforms. I'll show your posting to my youngsters when they return from school, as a treat. The photos with the few dwellings on the shore look true to the period. Congrats' again.

Warren.

[ 05-24-2005, 07:29 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[J P]

That is so cool.

Keep yer powder dry!

[garland reese]

Fantastic!!! :cool:

[L.W. Baxter]

Congratulations, inspired idea and well done!

I also share your appreciation for General Arnold.