The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-02-29
a Vessel with Queer Passengers
Sent over Niagara Falls.

Captain Gllbert Fratt, veteran
mariner now living in Belleville, On
tario, whose period of service on the
lakes dates back half century, recalls
an incident which, though it mas been
almost forgotten, attracted consId cradle
attention in its day. Vessel owners
were taen more conscientious Ihan now.
They were net inclined to risk the lives
OF passengers and crew in unseaworthy
GRATIS. The owners Of the old schooner
Michigan, then the largest vessel on the
lakes, hit upon novel expedient for dis
pnsing OF her. The vessel had become
old and rotten and was no longer SER
vlceable.
Instead of loading her and sending her
out late III the season heavily insured to
be wrecked, he chose more harmless
plan, but one less profitable to himself.
He induced the proprietofs OF the hotels
send her over the Falls. This was about
tue year 1880. The proposition was eag-
erly accepted by the proprietors, who
saw in it capital advertising scheme,
and one which would be certain to pay
them well.
The affair was widely published in the
newspapers, and Was the talk of the
surrounding country iOr weeks and
weeks. They did not count amiss wheu
they judged what an excited public Gu
riesiIy would do. For several days pre-
yious to the great event the stages and
canal boats were crowded. People
flOcked thither from all parts of the
country to witness the novel spectacle
of the largest vessel on the lakes going
over the falls. Tue hotel keepers reaped
a rich harvest. SO great crowd had
never before been seen at That famous
resort. ..
On the appointed day the Michigan
was towed out into the rapids in The
presence OF vast number of people
who lined the banks or visited the scene
upon the numerous excursion boats
which were called into requisition. The
task OF towing the vessel into the cur.
rent was intrusted to a Captain Rough,
with crew OF half a dozen oarsmen se-
lected by himself. This was a rather
hazardous enterprise, aud Captain Pratt,
who was himself one Of the crew, says
set out, though he had gladly volunteered
for the service.
There had been placed on the schooner
several animals in accordance with the
programme, which had been widely ad.
yertised. These consisted of a buffalo,
three bears, two foxes, q raccoon, a dog,
cat and some geese. At her b0wsprit
was the American ensign, and at her
stem the English Jack, the Canadian
hotel keepers having Joined In the enter
prise. There were also some etfigies ou
board to give appearance Of a crew anu
TO make more real the scene OF a vessel
with all on board making the terrific
plunge. just before the tow-Iine was
cut the animals on board were turned
loose. nt A.s go 5
Just as the vessel entered the rapids
two Of the bears plunged overheard and
actually succeeded in swimming ashore.
rhe third one climbed q mast as III to
get o better view OF the scene. All OF
the animals seemed greatly frightened,
and ran from one end Of the deck to the
other, much the. same as a human crew
might have done under similar circum-
stances, in an agony OF despair. The
vessel swept grandly down the rapids,
pIunging over the first fall, shipping d
little water, rlghting herself, and NOV
ing on In fine style. In going over the
second rapid the mast went by the board
and the bear with 1t, and neither were
again seen. ,..s.,t,.. .l..,...
sheswung around and presented her
broadside to the foaming waters, She
had evidently struck rock and was
stationary. Here 1t was thought her
career was ended, and the affair was
over. Rutshe stopped only moment,
The force Of the waters swung her