Next week you can have the chance to take a canal ride on the Gowanus and learn about the Battle of Brooklyn. “On Thursday evening August 21 at 6:00 PM at 2nd Street and the Gowanus Canal the Dredgers provide free canoeing on the canal. [Vincent Favorito] will give a talk on the Revolution. The canal is important because of what occurred to the retreating colonial army. At the Union Street bridge at the site of the Freekes Mill and important battle happened. Many Colonials drowned while trying to cross the Gowanus. These colonials held off the advance of the 20,000 British Troops and permitted Washington to retreat across East River and on to New Jersey with troops. This action permitted Washington to eventualy save the country. Carroll Gardens Neighbor Association. Historic Preservation Committee.”