1902 Encyclopedia > Lake Champlain, United States / Canada

Lake Champlain, United States / Canada




CHAMPLAIN, a considerable lake of North America, lying between the States of New York and Vermont, and penetrating for a few miles into Canada. It is 126 miles in length, and from 1 to 15 in breadth, lying nearly north and south, and contains a great number of small islands, most of which belong to Vermont. The Champlain canal, 63 miles in length, connects it with the Hudson ; the Sorel, Richelieu, or St John's River forms a natural outlet towards the St Lawrence, and the Chambly canal communicates with the ocean. The lake owes its name to Samuel Champlain the French explorer, by whom it was dis-covered about 1608; and during the War of 1812-1815 it was rendered famous by the defeat of the English fleet in the engagement of September 11, 1814. Large steam-boats and vessels of considerable tonnage navigate Lake Champlain from end to end. The scenery along its shores is highly picturesque, and its waters abound in salmon, salmon-trout, sturgeon, and other fish.









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