Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-07-29
Tne catastrophe at Niagara FAILS.

The Catastrophe at Niagara FaIIss
=. Buffalo papers contain thrilling accounts of the
"accdent at Niagara Falls. by which three lives
Lost. Avery, the young man who chung with
ts.rsion 10 an upright log from 81 O'Clock on Mon
poght until 8 O'Clock on Tuesday evening. was
On years of age, and, to add to the painful inter-
Eftbe frghtfu scene, his distracted father was one
% Ibrone of spectators which lined the shores du-
- all day on Tuesday. During the day hundreds
sBnAalo bv the railroad trains, but, their arri-
tho Fails. were unable TO render the unfortunate
anv assistance and were compelled to look on
~ ra;nfnl suspense until their worst fears were re-
.u,6 and the fierce element whrled its poor victim
9Th it's boiling current. The Buffalo Commercial
The following additional particulars
orr informant tells US that Avery was in part of
Vrands where the rocks rise nearly 10 the surface
,bs water. log of wood, apparently wedged
SIv between the rocks, and crossed by another,
m higher out of the water. was his resting place
ara he remained, half chnging TO and half perching
non the log, from which he would occasionally slip
rn and walk little on the rocks, which were only
.bort distance under the water
4 few feet in advance small fall of about
,nr or FIVE feet, and here and on each side of him
e waters rushed widely at speed of about forty
;les an hour. About 81 o'clock in the afternoon,
M was constructed formed of crossed tmbers strong
fastened in a square form, hogshead being placed
the C0ntre.
The raft was strongly secured with ropes on each
rds, and was foated down to the rocks upon which
livery stationed. AS it approached the spot
bere he stood. the rope got fast in the rocks, and
he raft became immovable Avery then appeared to
mister strength and courage, and descending from the
Og walked over the rocks TO the place where the rope
sj caught and abored long and hard to disengage it
rom The rocks. After some time he succeeded, and
ben with renewed energy, inspired by the hope of
e,cue he pulled manfully al the rope until he sue
eeded in bringing the raft from the current towards
his fearful resting place.
Avery got on to the raft, making himself fast
hereto by means of ropes which had been placed
here for that purpose and those on the land COM
nsnced drawing it towards the shore. 1t had APP
goached within thirty feet of one of the small islands,
towards which It's course directed, when sudden
" ii became stationary in the midst of the rapids the
ropes having again caught in the rocks
All endeavors to move it were found to be in vain,
and much fear was entertained that the strain upon
he ropes might break them and occasion the poor fell
owls loss. Various suggestions were now volunteer
81, and several attempts were made to reach him.
One man went out in boat far as he dared to ven
lure, and asked him if he would fasten rope round
is body and trust to being drawn in by that
The poor fellow, however, shook his head despon-
fngy, though he felt that he had not strength
nOugh remaining 10 make himself secure to rope.
A length boat was got ready-a life boat, which
ad arrived from Buffalo-and was launched. See
ng the preparations, Avery Embossed his fastenings
With the intention of being ready to spring into the
boat ooFhe on oY the fuShlng waters, and amid the
reahless suspense of the spectators, the boat ap-
Foached the raft. thrill ran through the crowd
he boat lived IN the angry waves-it struck the raft
"a shout of JOY rang forth from the shores, for il
WIS believed that he was saved-when suddenly the
hope that had been raised was again destroyed-a
HOmenrs confusion followed the collision, and in the
next the victim seen in the midst of the waters
separated from his frail support and struggling fo
He
For minute or two the poor fellow, striking out
boldly, swan strongly towards the island, and the CT,
echoed from shore 10 shore that he would yet b.
saved But soon the fact became certain that he re-
eded from the shore-his strength was evidently fail
ing Gradually he borne back into the ferces
part of the current-sowly al first then more rapidly
Swiftly and more swiftly he approached the brink
Of the fatal rrecipce-the waters had him at last
their undisputed victim, and mady they whirled hin
on TO death, though enraged at his perseverng eff
Orts to escape their fury.
sckenlng feeling came over the spectators when
pst on the brink of the precipice, the doomed mar
pFung up from the waters--cear from their surface
-alsIng himself uprig hit a statue, with his arm
fmg wildly aloft, and with a piercing shrek tina
nng loudly above the hooking roar of the cataract
fell back again into the foamug waves, and was hur
ned over the brow of the fatal precipice
The boat which was made fast 10 the log, and tn
raft, still swaying TO aud fro in the current Non
Of the bodies have been found and probably neve
will be.