The First Enterprise

Deep Web Diver · #1 (**permalink**) July 8th, 2004, 06:01 AM

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER

Dates in American Naval History: May

Quote:

"May 18, 1775 - Benedict Arnold captures British sloop and renames her Enterprise, first of many famous ships with that name."

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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: Enterprise

Quote:

"Boldness, energy, and invention in practical affairs.

Slp: t. 70; cpl. 50; a. 12 4-pdr., 10 swivels)

The first Enterprise, a British supply sloop, was captured 18 May 1775 at St. Johns, Quebec, Canada, by Colonel B. Arnold, named Enterprise, and armed for use on Lake Champlain.

On 28 August 1775, Enterprise and other vessels embarked more than 1,000 troops as part of an expedition against St. Johns, Montreal, and Quebec. Though St. Johns and Montreal were captured, and Quebec was besieged, the arrival of strong British reinforcements forced the Americans to withdraw from Canada in the spring of 1776. Enterprise and the other craft sailed to Isle aux Noix in the Richelieu River where they waited while Arnold directed the building of a fleet at Ticonderoga and Skenesborough (Whitehall), and the British-built ships at St. Johns.

The battle was finally joined on 11 October 1776 at Valcour Island, near Plattsburg, N.Y. Arnold chose the site and deployed to await the British advance. Though markedly inferior in firepower, Arnold's fleet fought a valiant and effective action all day long, then slipped through the British line after dark. A running battle took place over the next 2 days, and resulted in the loss of all but five of the American ships. Enterprise and four others escaped to Crown Point, then sailed on to Ticonderoga. A tactical defeat, Valcour Island was nevertheless a great strategic victory for the Americans. Arnold and his little fleet so disrupted the British invasion into New York that it was nearly a year before the advance could be renewed. In that interval American troops were recruited and trained, and on 17 October 1777, under General Horatio Gates, defeated the British decisively at Saratoga, N.Y. This victory was a primary factor in bringing about the alliance with France, and bringing the powerful French navy to the aid of the Colonies.

During the British advance prior to the Battle of Saratoga, Enterprise was one of five vessels assigned to duty convoying bateaux in the evacuation of Ticonderoga. The small American force was no match for the British fleet on Lake Champlain, and after two ships had been captured, Enterprise and the other two were run aground on 7 July 1777, and burned to prevent their capture."

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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: General Arnold

Quote:

"Benedict Arnold was born in Norwich, Conn., 14 January 1741. At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, he served in the Connecticut Militia, captured Fort Ticonderoga in 1775, and was promoted to Brigadier General in 1776. After he played an important part in the pivotal battle of Saratoga in 1777, Arnold was promoted again to Major General. In 1780, while commanding West Point, he became disgruntled with the patriot cause and conspired to turn over his fort to the British. His complicity discovered, Arnold fled, and soon became a Brigadier in the British Army. He led raids on Virginia and Connecticut during the remainder of the war, and afterward retired to Canada. General Arnold died in London, England, 14 June 1801.

During 1776, the Marine Committee of Congress and its agents purchased a number of small craft, among them a ship named General Arnold. This small schooner was a packet used by the Congress to carry dispatches, etc., to Europe. She was in service at the end of 1778 when she returned to Boston from Bordeaux. She was commanded by John Ayers of Massachusetts and the Continental Navy."

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U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command

History of the JAG Corps

Quote:

"The Army has relied upon lawyers since July 29, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress selected Colonel William Tudor of Boston, a 25-year-old Harvard graduate and pupil of John Adams, as the first Judge Advocate of the Army. About 15 judge advocates served during the Revolutionary War, including Captain John Marshall who later served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The second Judge Advocate of the Army, Colonel John Laurance, appointed in 1777, prosecuted a number of prominent officers, including General Charles Lee, Major General Benedict Arnold, and British Major John Andre. ..."

[ 08. July 2004, 07:48 AM: Message edited by: Deep Web Diver ]

Deep Web Diver · #2 (**permalink**) July 8th, 2004, 06:04 AM

An interesting footnote to Benedict Arnold's treason and defection:

United States Army Infantry Homepage

National Infantry Museum: NCOA, Case 136

Quote:

"Sergeant Daniel Bissell, Jr.

Sergeant Bissell was asked by George Washington to go behind enemy lines and gather information. Bissell was put down in the records as a deserter. He soon realized that to get the information Washington needed he would have to join the British Army. For 13 months, he served in Benedict Arnold's British Infantry Corps. Bissell realized that he would have to memorize everything he was able to find out-- otherwise he might be captured and shot for his efforts. He soon made his way back to friendly lines where he was arrested until General Washington verified his story. Sergeant Bissell was able to furnish valuable information including drawing detailed maps of the enemy's positions. He was to become the last recipient of the Badge of Military Merit in June 1783. Sergeant Bissell died in Richmond, New York, in 1824. He is buried in Canandaigua, New York. His tombstone is inscribed, "Daniel Bissell, Died August 5, 1824, Aged 79 Years, He had the confidence of Washington and served under him."

[ 08. July 2004, 01:15 AM: Message edited by: Deep Web Diver ]

redcoat · #3 (**permalink**) July 8th, 2004, 09:01 AM

[quote]Originally posted by Deep Web Diver:
[[/b][/url]

Quote:

"May 18, 1775 - Benedict Arnold captures British sloop and renames her Enterprise, first of many famous ships with that name."

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The first US ship of that name, Yes.
The first warship named Enterprise, No!

"In May 1705 the 50-gun ship HMS Triton added to her record as a successful prize-taker by capturing the 24-gun French corvette L’Entreprenante. The new prize, a 320 ton ship, was taken into the service as HMS Enterprise, the first of a long line of Royal Navy ships to bear the name. Most of her short career was spent in the Mediterranean, and she was lost with all hands in October 1707"
RN web-site

Stefan · #4 (**permalink**) July 8th, 2004, 10:40 AM

Nice one Redcoat, I had often been irritated by the fact that Star Trek completely ignores the fact that there was an HMS Enterprise before there was a USS Enterprise.

Deep Web Diver · #5 (**permalink**) July 8th, 2004, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by redcoat:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Deep Web Diver:
[[/url]

Quote:

"May 18, 1775 - Benedict Arnold captures British sloop and renames her Enterprise, first of many famous ships with that name."

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The first US ship of that name, Yes.
The first warship named Enterprise, No![/b]</font>

That isn't quite a full quote:

Quote:

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER

Dates in American Naval History: May

"May 18, 1775 - Benedict Arnold captures British sloop and renames her Enterprise, first of many famous ships with that name."

Gentlemen, I think it should be understood that a US Navy, Naval Historical Center website entitled "Dates in American Naval History" will focus exclusively on ... "American Naval History." The US Navy's website neither aims to be nor presents itself as a comprehensive history of the world's navies.

[ 08. July 2004, 07:32 AM: Message edited by: Deep Web Diver ]

Stefan · #6 (**permalink**) July 8th, 2004, 12:43 PM

Dont worry DWD, we weren't having a go, just an interesting sideline. Really you hardly expect a US Navy database to list RN ships

Sorry if I gave the wrong impression.

Deep Web Diver · #7 (**permalink**) July 8th, 2004, 12:44 PM

Quite alright Stefan.

Your Star Trek comment brings a rather well-known Star Trek quote to mind:

"You can't appreciate Shakespeare until you've read him in the original Klingon." - General Chang

[ 08. July 2004, 07:48 AM: Message edited by: Deep Web Diver ]

Stefan · #8 (**permalink**) July 8th, 2004, 12:47 PM

I always loved that line. Then again, the line from my sig is also a Star Trek classic (and I bet you all thought it was some great thinker!)

The other classic line that was cut from one episode was 'very funny Mr Scott, now beam my clothes down'

Deep Web Diver · #9 (**permalink**) July 8th, 2004, 12:51 PM

Speaking of Mr. Scott, the news reports yesterday carried the sad news that James Doohan, who both played Scottie and was, I think, a Canadian veteran of Juno Beach, has been diagnosed with Alzheimers.

Stefan · #10 (**permalink**) July 8th, 2004, 12:56 PM

Ahh heck, that is a great shame. I didn't know he was a vet but he was a hell of a character on screen.