Walk Tall and Carry a "Big Rope"

From the Adirondack Almanack.

Despite the victory at the battle of Big Sandy Creek, it was determined that carrying the needed supplies to the American ships awaiting launching at Sackets Harbor was too dangerous by water as the British fleet still held the upper hand on Lake Ontario.

Much of what still needed to be taken to Sackets Harbor was meant for the USS Superior, a frigate building there, and which would give the Americans the edge in power in Lake Ontario.  This included the anchor line and a lot of rope for the ship's rigging, some 600 feet of 6-inch rope weighing almost five tons.  It was aptly given the name "Big Rope."

The Americans had no cart big enough to transport it along the land.

It was decided to put a section of it on a cart and then trail the rest of it along the trail like a snake and carried by militiamen.

It was estimated that between 84 and 200 carried that "Big Rope.  It took two days to move it the 20 miles to Sackets Harbor.  All of the militia men arrived with abrasions, cuts and large deep-purple bruises.  There was much celebrating in Sackets Harbor and the men received an extra $2 for their ordeal.

Where There's a Will, There's a Way.  --Brock-Perry