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The Big
Row '06 |
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On Aug 9th the Black Sheep left Clay New York from Pirates Cove Marina. We proceeded approximately 5 miles to Phoenix, NY, met with the other two boats and camped for the night. |
In Phoenix we were met by some of the nicest people. Even the mayor came out to greet us. We had a wonderful meal and some great conversation. Sometime during the night we heard gunfire (local kids with firecrackers). I awoke and due to the fact that I was in an open leanto and able to observe the camp with little effort, I looked around to see if someone had entered our camp. The camp was secure, so I went back to sleep. |
On Thurs. morning we awoke to a beautiful clear, windy day. However the wind was blowing to the south and we were heading north. Mr. Manthey proceeded to "press" one of the locals into service, as his crew was tired. (He actually did get one of the locals to join us for the morning, dressed in spare period clothing and everything). Later in the day we were met by a "pirate". It seems that one of the locals had been warned we were coming down the river, so he got out his pirate hat and potato gun and "greeted" us. We rowed 20 miles this day into headwinds and arrived at Lock 8 in Oswego just before dark. |
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On Friday morning we "locked" back through the previous locks to Battle Island where we met with three more bateau and were ambushed by the French and Indians. The bateaumen fought valiantly and pushed the French ambush back into the woods. We then proceeded to sail 3 miles to Fulton, NY where we were "portaged" back to Oswego, where we remained for the weekend. |
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On behalf of my crew I would like to thank David Manthey and the crew of the Bobbie G, Kevin Richard-Morrow and the crew of the Desager, and Schuylers Company, New York Provincials for the hospitality shown towards myself and my crew. |
I would like to give special thanks to David Manthey for planning the Big Row and allowing us to participate, he is indeed and gentleman and a scholar. Finally I would like to thank David's mom for tirelessly hauling our butts around to pick up and drop off trailers and vehicles in order to make things happen on time. |
Crew of the Black Sheep for the Big Row 06 Dave Valentine,
Captain
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