The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-02-18
SHOOTING NIAGARA.

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The Time specuiation-Iiow IA Lake
Vessel was Sent over Niagara Falls
Queer Passengers.
Capt. Gilbert Pratt, veteran mariner
now living in Bellville. Ont, whose
period of service on the lakes dates back
nearly half century, recalls an incident
which, thoNgh it has been almost forgot
ten, attracted considerable attention in
its day. Vessel-owners were then more
conscientious than now. They were not
inclined to risk the lives of passengers
and crew in unseaworthy crafts. The
owner of the old schooner Michigan,
then the largest vessel on the lakes, hit
upon novel expedient for disposing of
her. The vessel had become old and
rotten, and was no longer serviceable.
Instead of loading her and sending her
out late in the season heavily insured to
be wrecked, he chose a more harmless
plan, but not one less profitable to him
self. He induced the proprietors of the
hotels at Niagara Falls to buy the vessel
and send her over the Falls. This was
about the year of 1880. The proposition
was eagerly accepted by the hotel pro-
prietors, who saw in it capital advertis-
ing 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
for weeks and weeks. They did not
count amiss when they judged what an
excited public curiosity would do. For
several days previous to the great event
the stages and canal boats were crowded.
People focked thither from all parts OF
the country to witness the novel spec
tacle of the largest vessel on the lakes
going over the Falls. The hotel-keepers
reaped a rich harvest. So great a crowd
had never before been seen mt that IA
nous resort. On the appointed day the
Michigan was towed out into the rapids
in the presence of a vast number of peo-
pie who lined the banks or visited the
scene upon the numerous excursion boats
which were called into requisition. The
task of towing tie vessel into tine cur
rent was intrusted to Capt. Rough, with
a crew of half dozen oarsmen selected
by himself. This was a rather hazard
Gus enterprise, and Capt. Pratt, who
was himself one of the crew, says
his heart almost failed him when
they set out, though he had gladly vol
unteered for the service. There had
been placed on the schooner several
animals, in accordance with the pro-
gramme, which had been widely adver-
tised. These consisted of n buffalo,
three bears, two foxes, raccoon, a dog,
a cat, and some geese. At her bowspri.
was the American ensign and at her stern
..l. ronOl,o,, hoN,1
keepers having joined in the enterprise.
There were also some efligies displayed
on board to give the appearance of a
crew, and to make more real the scene
of vessel with all on board making the
terrific plunge. just before the towline
was cut the animals on board were turn
ed loose. Just as the vessel entered the
rapids two of the bears plunged over
board and actually succeeded in swim
ming ashore. The third one climbed
the mast as if to get better view of the
scene. All the animals seemed greatly
frightened and ran from one end of the
deck to the other, much the same as II
human crew might have done under
similar circumstances, III an agony OF
despair. The vessel swept grandly down
the rapids, plunging over the first fall,
shipping little water, righting herself
and moving on III fine style. In going
over the second rapid the mast went by
the board and the bear with it, and
neither were again seen. She swung
around and presented her broadside to
the foaming waters. She had evidently
struck rock and was stationary. Here
it was thought her career was ended and
the affair was over. But she stopped
only moment. The force of the waters
swung her around and she moved on
stern foremost. On the third rapid she
bilged, but carried her hull apparently
whole straight to the horseshoe fall, over
which she plunged stern foremost to the
foaming abyss below. She was smashed
into thousand fragments. None of the
beasts on board were ever heard of more,
but the geese turned up all right and
were soon seen on the bank below, quiet
ly oiling their feathers, as if there had
not been much of a shower after all. One
of the etligies was also found uniniured,
throwing his arms about and knocking
his knees together in the eddies, but all
the others had disappeared. The scene
was a most thrilling one. The great
crowd of spectators watched the progress
of the vessel with breathless interest, and
gave O great cheer as she made the final
| plunge. i Detroit Post