New efforts are underway into raising the historic Revolutionary War gunboat, the Spitfire, from the bottom of Lake Champlain. The plan being put forth by Art Cohn and other nautical archeologists would raise & preserve the historic gunboat from the lake bottom where it has sat for nearly 250 years since sinking the day after the Battle of Valcour in 1776. Cohn is recommending the gunboat become the centerpiece of a new museum that would share Lake Champlain’s military history with a new generation.
New studies are underway this spring into evaluating the condition of the boat, as well as business plans to finance the raising and conservation of the Spitfire as well as finding a permanent location to display it. The Deputy Commissioner for Historic Preservation attended Cohn’s presentation last week and says there are discussions underway on the State’s interest and role in showcasing the Spitfire if it is indeed raised from the lake.
Watch full presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnsuKaf9VWk