Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-10-01
NO. 236.
miscellaneous.
THE CANYON OF NIAGARA.

was able to successfully pierce through
the fierce and terrible under current to
the bottom, until recently the government
itself thought it necessary in behalf OF
science to undertake the task. All the
great schemes imagined to be strictly Sci
entific were put in operation by bunglers
to obtain the depth of water beneath the
falls. Bars of railroad iron, pals of stones
and all unreasonable bulky and awkward
instruments were attached to long lines
and east off from the railway bridge, and
elsewhere, but positively refused to sink.
The very bulk of the instrument was SUI
ficient. no matter what their weight, to
give the powerful under current a way to
buoy them upon the surface or near it.
The United States Corps of Engineers,
however, with Il small lead of only twelve
pounds weight attached to slender rope,
or sounding cord, easily obtained the
depths from the falls to the lower bridge.
As your correspondent assisted in the by.
biographical operations, the facts may be
given as they presented themselves. One
day we launched in small boat not far
below the falls, and entered upon most
exciting and perilous exploration of the
canyon. The old guide, long in charge of
the miniature ferry situated here, accom-
panied the party With great difficulty we
approached within short distance Of the
American falls, which darted great jets of
water on us and far out into the stream
The roar was so terrible that no voice or
sound, however near we were to one
another, could be heard.
The leadsman cast the line, which passed
rapidly down and told off S3 feet. This
was quite near the shore. Passing out of
the friendly eddy, which had assisted us
up so near the falls, we shot rapidly down
stream. The next cast of the lead told off
100 feet, deepening to 1872 feet at the in
clned railway. The average depth to the
swift drift, where the river suddenly be-
comes narrow, with a velocity too great to
be measured was 1873 feet. Just under the
lower bridge the whirlpool rapids set in,
and SO violently are the waters moved that
they rise like ocean waves to the height OF
20 feet. AT this point your correspondent,
at the time of the survey, computed the
depth at 2l0 feet, which is accepted asap-
proXimately correct.
The terrors of the gorge below this point
are known to but few. Indeed, the foot
of man scarcely ever treads this Internal
region, where almost perpendicular walls
rise on each side of the verge of the river
from 270 to 500 feet in height. Here the
continual crumbling of the rocks has
formed Il precipitous pathway in places on
the rivers edge; elsewhere one must
cling to crevices in the rock, to jutting
crags or otherwise. to get along. A party
of four of us made survey of the interior
of this canyon from Lewiston to Suspcn-
sion Bridge. With great difficulty we
clanbered along. 1t was II fearful yet ex-
citing exploration. At times the river
would rise suddenly some 10 and even ID
feet, as if a great dam above had broken.
causing hasty retreat of the parties up
the sides of the canyon.
From points above, rocks and stones
frequently fell, causing lively apprehen-
sions, and, to add to the catalogue of en-
barrassments, an occasional rattlesnake
attempted to retard our progress, and one
of them was killed and his rattlcs pre-
served in commemoration of the event.
Getting into the canyon at Lewiston was
comparatively easy, but making one s way
ont was another thing. Nearly a mile be-
low DeveauX College. which is situated
half mile north of Suspension Bridge,
the possibility of making our way along
the rivers edge ceased. Night was just
approaching, and it was a days hard
work, nearly, to make Lewiston. Above,
the rocks lowered nearly 800 feet. We
had the alternative of remaining in this
abode of terrors over night and returning
to Lewiston the following day, or offight-
ing an almost impossible passage to the
steps leading down from the college.
We determined to accept the latter
After an hours climb we made our way to
within 100 feet of the top, where just
narrow ridge, formed by the crumbling
debris, seemed to extend. We followed
this perhaps II half mile, when it came to
an abrupt termination. Several rods be-
yond was Il broad pathway leading up to
the rocks, but in the interval only the bare
walls of rock, almost perpendicular from
the top to the rushing waters, 21O feet be-
low, met the despairing gaze of our party.
Just above our heads was crevice in the
rocks which seemed to cross the interven-
ing space.
With almost certain doom staring us
directly in the face, we determined to try
to cross by standing tiptoe in the creylce
and climbing to the outings OF the rocks.
The various implements of the party were
divided up, a heavy theodolite falling to
your correspondent, which was strapped
on his back. The tallest clambered up to
the creVlce 1lrst, the Ouhers assisting uis
following, and the writer getting up last.
Then began perilous struggle to reach
the pathway beyond. All arrived there
safely. when your correspondent, withthe
heavy burden on his back, was but mid
way across Here sharp rock just the
height of the breast impeded the way. In
attempting to get around this the boot
failed to find resting place
The heavy instrument was pulling me
off my balance. The fingers were losing
their slender hold. 100 feet above was
the calm, safe world, l07 feet below the
roaring of the water. One foot slipped OIL
and was going down, down; mist came
over the eyes when my foot caught on q
slender gooseberry bush, and hand sud-
denly grasped my back and drew me
around to a safe standing place. In q
moment more the pathway was reached,
and the safety of all insured, but never
will the trightful scene leave the senses.
One OF the party saw danger and rescued
the participant, or else the gooseberry
bush was the saving means-I have never