A free program focusing on the French and Indian War Shipwrecks of Lake George has been set for Friday, October 12th, at 7 pm at the Hancock House at 6 Moses Circle in Ticonderoga.

Featured speaker Joseph Zarzynski, part of the original discovery team for many of these ships, will lead the discussion.

Included will be a discussion of The Land Tortoise, built as a floating gun battery by the British in 1758. This 52-foot-long gunboat is North America’s oldest intact warship. It was deliberately sunk in l00 feet of water by British forces on October 22, 1758 to prevent it from falling onto the hands of French raiders.

Reservations are not necessary to attend the free program and refreshments will be served. Additional information is available by calling (518) 585-7868 or via e-mail to tihistory@bridgepoint1com.

Photo of Joseph W. Zarzynski, maritime archaeologist and author, holds a model of the 1758 Land Tortoise radeau courtesy Peter Pepe & Joseph W. Zarzynski.