The disposition of Washington’s prizes 67 The delay in bringing them to trial 68 History of the fleet after the evacuation of Boston 69 Washington’s “New York fleet” 70 Beginning of the fleet on lakes Champlain and George 71 Its increase in the summer of 1776 72 The work of Benedict Arnold 73 The British fleet on the Lakes 76 The battle of Lake Champlain, October 11-13, 1776 77 Results of the naval campaign on the Lakes 77 CHAPTER III.—The Organization of the Marine Committee. The maritime interests of New England 79 Naval enterprise in Rhode Island 80 The naval situation in Congress, 1775-76 81 The Rhode Island instructions 81 The debate in Congress thereon 82 Postponement of action on instructions 83 Favorable action by Congress, December 11, 1775 85 Decision of Congress to build thirteen frigates 85 Appointment of the Marine Committee 86 The Marine Committee absorbs the Naval Committee 87 The organization and pay of the Marine Committee 87 Its chairmen 88 Other valuable members 90 Naval agents for building the Continental frigates 90 Prize agents 93 Continental agents 95 Aid rendered the Marine Committee 95 Navy Board at Philadelphia 96 Navy Board at Boston 97 Designations of the boards 99 The organization of the boards 100 The personnel of the boards 101 Salaries 102 Enumeration of the principal agents of the Marine Committee 103 Minor agents 103 CHAPTER IV.—The Work of the Navy Boards and the Marine Committee. Lack of system in the Naval Department of the Revolution 104 Examples 105 Work and duties of the navy boards 107 Men and materials needed in building a ship 110