The Great "Big Rope" Carry 200 Years Later-- Part 2: Something You Don't Learn in School

Local Boy Scouts participated as well and were still eager to carry that "Big Rope" despite having carried it ten miles the day before.    All of this was to honor the American soldiers and civilians waho made a similar walk 200 years earlier.  I have to wonder what kind of merit badge they can get for carrying that rope? 

Kevin O'Rourke, a spokesman for this year's cable-carry (they've done it before?) said: "The kids learn about the local history of the cable carry through this event which sometimes (try, all the time) gets overlooked in the schools."

The event served as a major turning point of the war.  After the Americans win the Battle of Big Sandy Creek, they had to transport supplies to Sackets Harbor.  The cable was needed for the rigging and anchor of a frigate, the USS Mohawk, that the Americans were building there.

The cable had moved from New York City to near Oswego by water, but the British were still in control of Lake Ontario and figured they could capture it if the Americans tried to move there.

So, the Americans moved it by land.

The one carried this past weekend, however, was much lighter than the original one was.

O'Rourke also said that what was important for the kids was that they were outside in the open air  and "not in front of the game consoles."

I'm not so sure it was a major turning point of the war, myself, but itwas important.

Walk Tall, But Carry a Big Rope.  --Brock-Perry

The Great "Big Rope" Carry 200 Years Later-- Part 1

From the June 8, 2014, Time Warner Cable News "War of 1712 Cable Carry Re-enacted 200 Years Later" by Elizabeth Jeneault.

And, I just found out about this "Big Rope" about a week ago when I was researching the Battle of Big Sandy Creek in New York.  And, here it is being re-enacted.  Obviously, someone better versed in the War of 1812 history knew.

I found this to be a very interesting sidelight to the war.

There was a great picture of a bunch of people, including youngsters, carrying the "Big Rope" as well as a video, but since I am not a TWC subscriber, I couldn't see it.  I'l have to try You-Tube.

Jefferson County. New York:  "People in Jefferson County carried a 600-foot-long rope 20 miles this weekend to commemorate a War  of 1812 event.  Elizabeth Jeneault explains why locals believe it's so important to remember the "Great Cable Carry."

I'd Prefer It Called the "Great Big Rope Carry."  --Brock-Perry

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

Battle of Big Sandy Creek-- Part 2

On May 29th, the American expedition reached the mouth of the Big Salmon River where their presence was discovered by the British.  The Americans were joined by 120-130 Oneida Indians at this place.  At 8 AM, the British began a cannonade of the Americans at the mouth of the Big Sandy Creek and advanced.  But the Americans and Indians had hidden themselves and ambushed the British as they advanced  A ten minute battle ensued and the British surrendered their entire force.

American losses of the 250 regulars and 125 Indians were two wounded.  The British force under Stephan Popham, lost 13 killed, 28 wounded and captured and 140 others captured.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Big Sandy Creek, New York-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

I mentioned this battle in the timeline on the previous post.

Fought in northwestern New York May 29-30, 1814.  A force of American militia and Oneida Indians surprised a force of British sailors and marines.

After their successful attack on Fort Oswego May 5-6, 1814, the British withdrew from Oswego to the Galloo Islands in Lake Ontario to keep watch on supplies going to Sackets Harbor where three American ships (the brigs Jefferson and Jones and frigate Superior) were waiting for cannons and rigging.

Unfortunately for them, they had missed these when they attacked Fort Oswego as they were nearby, but further up the Oswego River.

these supplies had been sent from the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York City, up the Hudson River to Albany, NY, and then on the Mohawk River to Wood Creek and Oneida Lake before arriving at the Oswego River.  Here, they stopped while the British took Fort Oswego at the mouth of the river by Lake Ontario.  This was quite an accomplishment in itself, going all that distance, but thankfully water routes were available.

Commodore Isaac Chauncey at Sackets Harbor ordered an expedition under Melancton Taylor Woolsey to get the supplies.  The British found out about the supplies and sent their own expedition to intercept.

--Brock-Perry