During the Revolution there were but two naval engagements of major importance—if by that term we mean operations directly affecting the result of the war—the first at Valcour Island in Lake Champlain on October 11, 1776, and the second between the French and British fleets on September 5, 1781.
The former engagement, though ending in disaster for the American fleet, delayed the British force under General Carleton until the early northern autumn. It compelled the British to forego for that year their plan of gaining control of the Hudson valley and cutting off New England from her sister states. The time for preparation thus gained by the Americans made Saratoga and the French alliance possible.
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