 The naval Battle of Valcour Island , also known as the Battle of Valcour Bay , took place on October 11 , 1776 , on Lake Champlain . The main action took place in Valcour Bay , a narrow strait between the New York mainland and Valcour Island . The battle is generally regarded as one of the first naval battles of the American Revolutionary War , and one of the first fought by the United States Navy . Most of the ships in the American fleet under the command of Benedict Arnold were captured or destroyed by a British force under the overall direction of General Guy Carleton . However , the American defense of Lake Champlain stalled British plans to reach the upper Hudson River valley . 
