Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-07-18
Whirlpool Rapids Park.

A correspondent of the New York Times writ
ing from Niagara, gives the following interesting
account of a new point of attraction at Niagara
And while speaking of the points Of real inter
est must not forget TO mention the Whirlpool
RAPIDS Park, which, after having been literally
dug out of the cliffs that overhang the Whirlpool
Rapids, has just been thrown open to the public.
Ii is indeed worthy of visit. Situated on the
Canada side, the entrance to the grounds is in the
town of Clifton, just below the great suspension
bridge and few minutes walk from the Great
Railway station. To reach the edge Of the rapids
the visitor has the choice of an inclined railway,
OF aspira stairway and winding paths. The in
clined elevator-for it can better be called an ee-
yator than q railroads. worked upon an exceed
ingly safe and simple principle. There are two
cars connected by steel cables, and run in some
respects like the inclined railway cars at Pitts
burg There is this difference the cars here are
run by the weight Of water. A tank in the bot
tom of each of them is rapidly filed from spring
at the top with 900 pounds. This water takes
the car to the bottom, and brings the one already
there which has been emptied OF water, to the
top. The cable connecting the cars works round
three heavy grooved iron wheels, the third or low
or one being set as TO make an accident by slid
ing almost impossible. Attached to the two upper
wheels are powerful brakes, an additional one be-
ing automatically applied by goyernor. which
regulates the speed Of the cars and causes them
to occupy fully minnie and half m making the
Journey from the top TO the bottom, OF the cliff.
By this continuance the trip could be made in safe
w. without the aid Of an engineer or brakeman.
Should the cable break from any unforeseen
cause the usual safety cogs, OF catches which are
fixed to the tramway, would stop the descent OF
the car. Having reached the edge Of the rapids
by the means described, the visitor finds himself
in the midst of a scene of wild grandeur which is
almost indescribabe. For nearly 400 feet the
cliffs rise in a nearly perpendicular line. Above
them and across the gorge stretches the mighty
suspension bridge, the passing trains looking ike
playthings in the distance. Beyond and through
the framework Of dark green formed by the over
hanging trees Niagara rushes ceaselessly, OBJ
scured at times by the clouds of white mist that
ascend to the sky, and for the very obscurity all
the more grandly beautiful. Dashing, roaring,
whirling on through the narrow passages, beating
its way against great masses OF frowning rocks
that for ages have borne up against the shock,
comes the accumulation of waters. Rising high
err and higher as they dow onward, crying out al
most in agony for more room to move, they are
still hemmed In by the SILENT awful cliffs. Dash
ing onward driven forward by the never-ending
how from behind they reach the most contracted
part of the channel. Here for moment, it seems
almost as if the mighty volume paused, unable to
struggle further, and then, with renewed effort
impelled by all-powerful, but invisible force,
it dashes up in one great column ~, 5O3 feet IN
to the air. and with q noise OF thunder bursts
through the iron rocks that seek to contne it, and
boiling, swirling, bubbling into crystal foam, at
last it finds its way into the calm green channel
beyond the gorge. When it is remembered that
the river at the foot OF the inclined plane is only
800 feet wide, that the Falls of Niagara present
front of one and quarter miles, and that the flow
of water over them averages feet deep, will be
seen that the channel OF the Whirlpool Rapids
sinks to depth Of at least 200 feet. At no other
point near the Falls the visitor obtain good
an idea of the great volume of water that forces
its way through Niagara River, and consequently
the Whirlpool Rapids has at once taken front rank
as point of interest 1t should be visited by
every one who comes to Niagara Falls. IL. c.