Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-07-14
A DARING FEAT.
c. D. Graham Shoots the Whirlpool Rapids
at Niagara in Gask.

BUFFALO, July livery few of the
thousands of persons who visited Niagara
Falls to-day had any idea that another ad-
venturous man would attempt to shoot the
Whirlpool Rapids, in which Capt. Webb
lost his life. For some time past C. D.
Graham has been making his preparations
for the attempt, but few persons, if any,
really believed that his courage would hold
out long enough for him TO make it.
Such, however, was not the case, and at
about o'clock this afternoon Graham
startled on his perilous voyage, which he
successfully accomplished.
Graham had told reporter all about his
plans, and stated that he would carry them
out at the time he did, but requested that
the time be not published, for fear that the
authorities would prevent the execution of
his purpose.
A small boat towed the tank out into the
river to point where the current would
catch it, and then Graham was started on
what seemed to be his trip to eternity
The towing process took only few min
utes, and then the stream caught the cask
and startled it on towards the rapids and
whirlpool. At first it moved slowly along,
then faster and faster, until the mad cur
rent dashed it on with its full force. The
ocoA pouAuCo up duu uOWu ObcT Luo Srcdt
waves, and several times turned complete
somersault, but generally speaking the
wider portion remained uppermost, al
though it twirled around like a top. The
cask kept pretty well in the centre of the
river until it reached the whirlpool, when
it struck side current, and was carried
swiftly through, reaching the waters be-
yond in safety. From here the journey was
comparatively quiet. The cask foated on
toward Lewiston right side up and all dan
ger was passed. 1t was picked up at
Lewiston, about five miles below the start
ing point, and Graham crawled out of the
barrel uninjured, with the exception of a
slight bruise on one arm, which he received
when passing through the whirlpool. He
ren arked: "When I struck the eddies,
it was one continued sround of jerks, but
am not hurt Bit"
The cask is 7 feet long, 80 inches in
diameter at the widest portion, 90 inches at
the top and 16 inches at the bottom. 1t is
bound around with iron hoops, which
weigh $50 pounds. The ballast which was
attached to the cask to keep it in position
weights 240 pounds. Graham probably
will repeat the trip. He says he will yet
go over Horseshoe falls.
G. D. Graham is native of Philadelphia,
33 years old, and a cooper by trade. He is
a poor man, compelled to work for his
living. About two months ago he came to
Buffalo, obtaining employment in a cooper
shop here. He has travelled pretty ex-
tensively, and for a long time had soma
scheme of this sort in mind. Being cooper,
barrel naturally suggested itself to him
as the best means with which to shoot the
rapids. All his possessions were put into
the barrel, which he constructed himself
The barrel is made of inch and quarter
oak slaves, wide at the top and narrow at
the bottom and shaped like buoy. A
sand ballast was 80 fixed as to keep the
side of the barrel which Graham faced up
permost. Graham hung, or rather stood,
in sort of hammock made like suit OF
clothes, and held on to two iron handles
fixed at the side. He could live for at
least half an hour without requiring any
fresh air, and by the time the air was ex-
hausted he was beyond the whirlpool and
could pull out the plug from the little air
hole about three quarters of an inch in
diameter and get all the fresh air he re-
quired. Graham did not make a cent by
by the operation. He received no pay and
bore all the expense himself.