The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-06-27
Extraordinary and PeriIous Passage of
the Maid of the Mist down the Rapids
to LewistOn..-.RObinsO Jones and
Mcintyre, the Intrepid Crew. E1ra.

Since the establishment of this Jour-
nal, we have had occasion to chronicle
great many very extraordinary and
perilous performances in this vicinity,
but none more so than that which we
are about to relate. Venturing in the
rapids, above the falls, by skillful
boatman, has become quite common.
Walking over the gorge below the Falls
on a string, has also become SO common
that the general idea Of its peril has
been considerably modified. Even the
Whirlpool has been navigated by our
Robinson. But by almost unanimous
consent it was agreed that the Rapids
from below the Falls to Lewiston could
not be navigated. No one ever dared
venture with boat on the Rapids be-
low Suspension Bridge. We have
heard one or two visionary fellows sug-
gest that the trip to Lewiston might
possibly be made by some sort of boat
unknown on any of our inland waters,
but the idea was treated with derision.
The angry waters that come surging
down the Rapids and over the Cataract,
become comparatively quiet between
here and Suspension Bridge. At the
Bridge the gorge narrows and the i'm
mense volume of water struggles for
exit. The deep, broad and placid ex-
panse enters the narrowed gorge with
terrific force. One needs to descend
to the waters edge in order to get a
correct idea of this terrible seething
and whirling torrent But to our sto.
i ry. .ooSGG
! Mr.. M. O., Buchanan, proprietor of
4 the Maid of the Mist, found that he
could make profitable disposal Of the
craft, if he could only deliver the same
} below the rapids. The matter has
been under consideration some time,
and some of the most experienced
navigators Of the st. Lawrence rapids
have been here to consult and make
the attempt, for successful accom-.
plishment of which a handsome sum
! was offered. After making thorough
examination, they returned home, de,
clining TO hazard their lives in the bold
: attempt. What they declined to dc
was undertaken ay three of our citizens
Joel r. Robinson, whose fame fol
3 daring exploits on the waters herea
bout has long been established, james
+ HI. Jones, Engineer, and James McIn
t tyre. Mr.. Robinson has had severa
: years. experience on the boat as Cap
y tain, and so has Mr.. Jones, as Engineer
: they were thoroughly acquainted
: with the Maid. They decided to make
c the attempt last Thursday. Soon aftel
= 8 O'clock they cast off from Suspension
Bridge landing, heading up stream fol
f a short distance, when she turned
gracefully as though bidding adieu t.
j the scenes of her youth, and started
t boldly for the angry flood which timit
Q people have so often pictured as wait
r ing to engulph her. A short distance
: below the Bridge was supposed to b'
the most dangerous place. AS may o.
t imagined, spectators watched with IN IN
% tense anxiety. She shot ahead like ar
arrow. Mr.. Robinson tells us that h'
y had verv little command of the whee
d that it was actually dangerous t
Y handle it, except in moments when tn
d rudder was entirely out of water A
e the most dangerous place we speak 0
e the torrent from each side of the rive
II rushes to the center, forming higl
d ridge, the foaming crest OF whlcl
d threatens to submerge any craft tina
! ventures near. Mr.. Robinson made
l..at hrtrnsnccessfi,l attenont 4