Land Tortoise, Archaeological shipwreck site in Lake George, New York, US
Land Tortoise is a sunken 18th-century military gunboat resting on the bottom of Lake George in Warren County, New York. The wreck has kept much of its original structure, including seven cannons and oars still in place.
British and colonial forces built and deployed this gunboat in 1758 during the French and Indian War. When holding it became impossible, they scuttled it themselves to keep it out of enemy hands.
The name of the vessel comes from its wide, flat shape, which resembles a land tortoise seen from above. Flat-bottomed boats like this one were common tools in inland water conflicts, where deeper vessels could not operate.
The wreck sits underwater and can only be reached by divers with the proper equipment and authorization. The site is managed as a protected area and is not open for general recreational use.
This gunboat is the only surviving vessel from the French and Indian War, making it one of a kind among known wrecks of that period. The cold, still water of Lake George has helped preserve wooden parts that would not have lasted above the surface.
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