Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-02-24
OVER NIAGARA.

/.
The following copy of an old letter
dated Buffalo, n. Y, September 9th,
1627-nearly fifty years ago-gives an
account of the descent of vessel over
Niagara Falls on the 9Th of September,
1927. Probably they are but few sur
yiving witnesses of this scene, and, as it
describes an experiment which [ believe
has never since been attempted, i have
transcribed it for the readers of the
Courier Journal The letter Is as fol-
lows:
" AS the exhibition yesterday was of
novel character, and has excited much
more interest than any one would have
anticipated when it was first mentioned,
you will doubtless be anxious to learn
the particulars, and, to crafty your
curiosity, I will endeavor give you the
story as much in detail as possible.
The schooner Michigan, as you have
already learnt from me, was the largest
on Lake Erie, and too large in fact to
enter the various harbors on the lake,
and being somewhat decayed In her up
perWorks, the thought struck the owner,
Major Frazer, formerly of New York.
that she would answer the purpose OF
testing the fate OF a vessel that by &C
cident might approach too near the stu
pendous cataract OF Niagara, and also Of
the fate of animals that might be caught
III the rapids of these swift rolling
waters. and carried over the falls.
The proprietors Of the large public
houses at the Falls, on both sides Of the
river, and of stages and steamboats,,
er, aware that they would be repaid by
the company which the exhibition would
attract: and in this calculation they ere
not deceived. -#=
For several days previous to the 0th
the stages came crowded, as we'll as the
canal boats, so much so that it was diff
ficult to find conveyance to the Falls !;
and such was the interest that the
descent was the only topic of converse
ton among all classes. On Friday
night, the It'll, wagons filed with coun-
try people ratified through the town at
night, and on Saturday morning Buffalo
itself seemed to be moving in u mass
towards the grand point of attraction.
To accommodate those who could not
find passage in carriages, five steam
boats had advertised to leave here on
Saturday morning, and great numbers
chose this conveyance. They were the
Henry Clay, William Penn, Pioneer,
Niagara and Chippewa being all the
steamboats, on Lake Erie except the
Superior. The Chippewa was appointed
TO two down the pirate schooner Gas she
was termed) the Michigan; which
service she performed. took my pas
sage on the boat, and we got under way
before the others, passed through the
basin at Black Rock, and about a mile
below the Rock took in tow the vessel
destined TO make the dreadful plunge.
As soon as we got under way the scene
became interesting. The sun shone III
full splendor, the waters of the Erie
were placid, there being scarcely a
ruffle upon its surface, and few miles
astern OF us four steamers crowded with
passengers, and with bands of music on
board, were blowing their way down the
rapids Of Niagara. Our little boat
towed the Michigan as far as Yale's
Landing on the British shore, within
three miles of the Falls, where she an
chored; and at this place the Chippewa
landed her passengers, as well as the
William Penn, and they were conveyed
from thence to the Falls in vehicles Of
all descriptions. The three other steam
boats landed their passengers On the
American side.
Three o'clock was the hour appointed
to weigh anchor on the Michigan. The
task of towing her from Yale's landing
to the rapids land most hazardous
one it was) was entrusted to Capt.
Rough, the oldest captain On the lake.
With yawl and five oarsmen, of stout
hearts and strong arms, the old captain
got the schooner under way, and towed
her till within one-quarter Of mile OF
the first rapids, and within half mile
of the tremendous precipice-as near
as they dare approach-and cutting her
adrift she passed majestlcally on, while
the oarsmen of the yawl had to pull for
their lives to effect their own safety.
Indeed such was the fear of the hands,
as | have understood. that on approach
ing near the rapids they cut the tow
line before they had received orders
from their commander. And now we
approach the interesting moments of the
exhibition. The high grounds on both
sides of the American and British
shores were lined with people, having
full view of the rapids and of the
approach of the vessel. And now
it was that q thousand fears and
expectations were INDUCED as
the Michigan, unguided by human
agency, approached, head on, the first
rapid OF descent, and apparently keep
ing the very course THAT the most skill
ful navigator would have pursued, hav.
ing an American ensign flying from her
bowsprit, and the British Jack dis
played at her stern. She passed the
first rapid unhurt, still head on, making
plunge, shipping a sea, and rising
from it in beautiful style, and in her de.
scent over the second her masts Went Dy
the board, at the same moment AFFORD