20 Nov 25:
Small boats, particularly flat-bottomed boats like flatboats and Durham boats, were crucial to the American Revolution because they could transport troops, supplies, and horses across rivers and into shallow waters where larger naval vessels could not go. These craft were essential for strategic military movements, like Washington's crossing of the Delaware, and were also used for coastal raids, naval engagements in shallow water, and as privateers.
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| Even a small punt would be useful to visit a Tidewater neighbor. Here is our boat SCUPPERS checking out Burwell Bay. |
- Strategic and Military Uses
- Transport: Flatboats were vital for moving troops, wagons, and supplies across rivers, a task made necessary by the scarcity of bridges.
- Surprise attacks: Patriot forces famously used flatboats to cross the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776, leading to a surprise attack on Hessian forces in the Battle of Trenton.
- Naval engagements: Small gunboats, including Durham boats, were armed with cannons and used in naval battles, such as the Battle of Valcour Island and the Battle of Redbank.
- Coastal raids: Small boats like the two used by John Paul Jones were used for daring raids on enemy ports, such as the attack on Whitehaven, England.
Types of small boats
- Flatboats: Broad, flat-bottomed boats with rectangular shapes that were ideal for carrying heavy loads and operating in shallow water.
- Durham boats: Similar to flatboats, they were often used on rivers like the Mohawk and Delaware, and could be equipped with small cannons.
- Bateaux: A type of flat-bottomed boat, often used for ferries and military transport.
- Skiffs, dories, and dinghies: Common rowboats used for transport and reconnaissance.
- Whaleboats: A specific type of boat often used by privateers for raiding and other small-scale naval actions.
- Coastal traders and raiders: Yawls, schooners, etc...that were fast, agile and could easily outmaneuver ships of the line. The war was won with gunpowder, and these small boats kept the supply lines open, especially in the Virginia and Carolina regions, both coastal and inland.
Skipper sailing a Drascombe Lugger gaff rigged yawl that we restored.
The Lugger has an eight in draft with the centerboard raised.
