The ship that George Washington crossed the Delaware River on was named the "Durham Boat." This pivotal crossing occurred on the night of December 25-26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. Washington and his troops executed this surprise maneuver to launch a surprise attack on the Hessian forces stationed in Trenton, New Jersey. The successful crossing and subsequent victory at Trenton were critical, as they boosted the morale of the American troops and supporters of the Revolution, demonstrating Washington's leadership and strategic acumen during a challenging phase of the war.