Timber Raft on Lake Champlain, 1776 Naval Engagement Vignettes, circa 1850

This original antique steel engraving, uncolored, is lettered "TIMBER RAFT ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN." A long, low raft of timber moves across calm water, carrying four square sails, a small timber shelter and a peaked hut with a smoking chimney, and a flag at the masthead. A few men work with long sweeps at the front and rear. Beyond the raft a dark, forested shore rises to a single peaked mountain, a sailboat stands off at the left, gulls wheel at the right, and a dramatic sky of piled clouds and breaking light fills the upper half of the view.

Above the view a small uncaptioned emblem shows two sailing boats with their crews in choppy water. The border of scrolls holds two vignettes, and both carry the same caption, "NAVAL ENGAGEMENT ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 1776." The left vignette shows men in a gunboat with a cannon at the bow, an officer pointing ahead, and larger sailing vessels beyond. The right vignette shows vessels burning and boats crowded with men pulling away, with a stone tower in the distance. No artist or engraver is credited under the view, and the imprint at the foot reads "J. & F. TALLIS, LONDON & NEW YORK."

The plate was issued in History of the United States of America, edited by John Howard Hinton (1791 to 1873), the English Baptist minister and author. J. and F. Tallis were London publishers of illustrated works sold in parts around the middle of the nineteenth century, and the plates of this edition set a central steel engraved view inside an engraved ornamental border with small lettered vignettes of episodes from American history. The naval fighting on Lake Champlain in October 1776 is known as the Battle of Valcour Island.

The raft and the storm lit sky make a striking working scene for a study or a lake house.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.