Post by Larry Koschkee on Dec 18, 2005 16:42:05 GMT -5
It is clear the some of the Sauk and followers were able to cross or descend the Wisconsin River in elm bark canoes that were built on the banks of the river. Some references:
"...as soon as the Women saw the Indians were beaten, they got into the Islands and made bark canoes and fled down the River."
"When Sacs & Foxes crossed the Wiskonsin & fled N.E. the old-men Women & Children were left in the Islands of the River & are now endeavouring to escape in Elm-bark Canoes by the Wiskonsin."
"Wee-qua-ho was at the battle of the Quisconsin, and escaped in temporary bark canoe down that river."
"iowa...was at battle of Wisconsin, and went with the main body of the Sacs toward the Mississippi two days, and then back for the Wisconsin---came down the river in a bark canoe which he made nearly to the south of the river..."
"...a part Menominie Squaw...says that the whole of the Women and Children are coming down the Quisconsin---that she cannot count the Canoes..."
"Their Canoes are all made of Elm bark and very frail and clumsy."
Many canoes turned over and sunk before they came here---they were so bad, and many children were drowned."
I have canoed the Wisconsin River in the region several times...with or against the current and did it comfortably in 17' Grumann aluminum canoe. It gives me pause to think about doing it in, essentially, a rolled up piece of bark with no frame of ribs or gunwales.
Consulting with some canoe builders indicate two people can build a satisfactory elm-bark canoe in two to three hours. This is in comparison to two to three weeks required to build a classic birch-bark canoe with frame, ribs, gunwales and etc..
I have made river crossings with a horse on the Pecatonica River and swam a horse out to a Wisconsin River island and back to the bank to experience what I have read. If I could get someone to help skin a elm tree and make a canoe it would be a great first-hand adventure.
Perhaps someone out on the world-wide-web could share some experiences with the watercraft.
Larry
"...as soon as the Women saw the Indians were beaten, they got into the Islands and made bark canoes and fled down the River."
"When Sacs & Foxes crossed the Wiskonsin & fled N.E. the old-men Women & Children were left in the Islands of the River & are now endeavouring to escape in Elm-bark Canoes by the Wiskonsin."
"Wee-qua-ho was at the battle of the Quisconsin, and escaped in temporary bark canoe down that river."
"iowa...was at battle of Wisconsin, and went with the main body of the Sacs toward the Mississippi two days, and then back for the Wisconsin---came down the river in a bark canoe which he made nearly to the south of the river..."
"...a part Menominie Squaw...says that the whole of the Women and Children are coming down the Quisconsin---that she cannot count the Canoes..."
"Their Canoes are all made of Elm bark and very frail and clumsy."
Many canoes turned over and sunk before they came here---they were so bad, and many children were drowned."
I have canoed the Wisconsin River in the region several times...with or against the current and did it comfortably in 17' Grumann aluminum canoe. It gives me pause to think about doing it in, essentially, a rolled up piece of bark with no frame of ribs or gunwales.
Consulting with some canoe builders indicate two people can build a satisfactory elm-bark canoe in two to three hours. This is in comparison to two to three weeks required to build a classic birch-bark canoe with frame, ribs, gunwales and etc..
I have made river crossings with a horse on the Pecatonica River and swam a horse out to a Wisconsin River island and back to the bank to experience what I have read. If I could get someone to help skin a elm tree and make a canoe it would be a great first-hand adventure.
Perhaps someone out on the world-wide-web could share some experiences with the watercraft.
Larry