In the 1860s and 1870s, New Brunswick was home to the world champion four-man rowing team, the Paris Crew.

Named after their remarkable win at the World Amateur Rowing Championship at the International Exposition in Paris in July 1867, Robert Fulton, Elijah Ross, George Price and Samuel Hutton (with their fifth, James Price) of Saint John, New Brunswick, dominated the rowing scene for the next five years. One of their final victories in August 1871, was marred by the tragic collapse and death of James Renforth, a crew member of their British competition.