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Enterprise (George) 1775

J

jszeiter

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Jul 23, 2025
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Greetings!

I'm a brand new member to this forum and the proud new owner of the Armed Virginia Sloop by Model Shipways. I was wondering if I could get some thoughts on a strange plan I have...

I've had a lifetime of stories about the 1776 naval conflict on Lake Champlain between Benedict Arnold and the Brits... I spend summers across the bay from where the Philadelphia was sunk. When I was looking at kits, I thought that the AVS model may be similar to the first Enterprise, which was a sloop that Arnold took from the British in 75 (then called the George). As there were very few records about this ship, most of it is conjecture. However, in looking at a reference book about "Early American Sailing Ships" there is a hull plan for the George that is not far off from the AVS.... This ship fought at Valcour, was one of the few survivors, and made it back to Ticonderoga. It was burned several years later.

Thoughts from those of you who have most likely forgotten more than I will ever know about the early navy? Alterations you'd recommend? Any source material on the first Enterprise that you might have access to?

I would hate to torture you with a build log, as I'm fairly inexperienced with ship modeling (everything I know I know from one model and years of balsa aircraft construction). Just thought I would try to get a conversation started here to get your collective thoughts...

Thanks!
Scott
 
Welcome aboard. I look forward to reading about this as others add to it. Would enjoy seeing pictures as you build it.
 
First of all, WELCOME to SoS.
Your project is pretty fascinating. As USS Enterprise 1775 was originally a British supply sloop, named George, not a warship and built in Canada, there may not be many (any?) appropriate drawings or scantlings available. There are a number of contemporary plans of 10, 12. and 14 gun sloops available at RMG Collections in low resolution, and some in high resolution on the WikiCommons site, but which of these, if any, are appropriate would be a guess. The kit you mention is a single masted vessel which would be fitting for such a small (70 ton) vessel like your USS Enterprise. Lacking better information, it would be hard to argue against using the kit as a representative. Hopefully there are members with more details for you.
Allan
 
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So far, this is the comparison I have for hull design. The plans from the kit at the top. A British sloop design for Lake Champlain from the Admiralty (1776 so after the actual Enterprise) and the American Sailing Ships assumption of the sloop based upon similar craft built at the time... Upside? They both have ports for the sweeps. They all appear to be *about* the same length, beam, depth and weight... Downside? Quarter deck design is flat with a railing around it on the Enterprise... and there is a tiller, not a wheel... These seem like alterations I can safely make

IMG_4459.jpeg
 
Having the plans from RMG is a huge help. The description they give for the plan you posted in the photo above looks like it could make that drawing a reliable guide for modifying the kit. Their inclusion of the deck plans is another plus as is having the masts and spars dimensions all provided on the plan. Can't wait to see your build.
Allan
 
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