The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-10-02
Il SHIP OYER NIAGARA FALLS.
A Thrilling Scene Witnessed ut Niagara Six
ty Years ago by 6O,0O0 People.

Thrilling Scene Witnessed Mt Niagara Six
ty Yenrs ago by GO,00O People.
The New York Sun digs up an old letter
written in 1923 in which it describes the tumb-
ling of ship over Niagara falls. In the ship
were several live animals. and the fate of both
the vessel and its cargo is graphically told In
this old letter.
"The schooner Michigan was the largest on
Lake Erie, ana two large, in fact, to enter the
various harbors on the lake, and, being somo-
what decayed in her uppers the thought struck
the owner, Major Frazer. formerly of New
York, that she would answer tho purpose Of
testing the fate of vessel that by accidenk
might approach too near the stupendous catar-
act of niagara, and also of the fate Of animals
that might be caught in the rapids of those
swift-rolling waters and carried over the falls.
The proprietors of the large public houses
at the falls, on both sides of the river, and Of
stages and steamboats,, made up q purse 60
purchase the schooner, aware that they would
be repaid by the company which the exhibt-
ton would attract, and in the calculation they
were not deceived.
"For several days previous to tho Sth the
stages came crowded, as well as the canal
boats, so much SO that 1t was difficult TO find @
conveyance to the falls; and such was the in
terest that the descent was the only topic Of
conversation among all classes. The Chippe-
wa was appointed to tow down the pirate
schooner las sho was termed), the Michigan,
which service she performed. | took my pas
sage on board this boat, and we got under way
before the Others passed through the basin at
Black Rock, and about o mile below the rock
took in tow the vessel destined to make the
dreadful plunge. AS soon as we got under
way the scene became interesting. The sun
shone in full splendor, the waters Of the Erie
were placid, there being scarcely rufiie upon
its surface, and few miles astern Of us four
steamers crowded with passengers and with
bands of music ON board, were plougilng
their way down the rapids OF Niagara.
Three o'clock was the hour appointed TO
weigh anchor on board tho Michigan The
task of towing her from Yales Landing to the
RAPIDS and n most hazardous one il was, was
intrusted to Captain Rough the Oldest Cap
tain on the lake. With yawl boat and fiya
oarsmen, OF stout hearts and strong arms, the
old Captain got the schooner under way, and
towed her till within one quarter Of a mile Of
tho first rapids, and within half o mile of the
tremendous preeipice. as near as they dared
approach. Cutting her adrift, she passed ma
jestically on, while the oarsmen of the yawl
had to pull for their lives TO make themselves
safe.
The backgrounds on both side Of the Amer
lean and British shores we've lined with peo-
pie, having full view of the rapids and Of the
approach of the vessel, andnow IL was that O
thousand fears and expectations were indnlg-
ed, ms the Michigan, unguided by human agen-
cy, approached. head on, the first rapid or des-
cent, ard appearan.ly keeping the very course
pursued, having an American ensign flying
from her bowsprit and the British jack dis
played at her stern. She passed the first rapid
unhurt, still head on, makinga plunge, ship
ping sea- and rising ironAit Il in beautiful
a afford those wh4 favo .heyer O Witnessed n
a sbipwreck a 1samen of the seafs
Of ship at sea ~fiD u wreck. ERpecta-
highest; she swung around and presen-
ted her broad side to the dashing and foamng
water, and after remaing stationary moment
or two, was, by its force, swung round, stern
foremost and having passed the third rapid,
she bflged, but carried her hull apparently
whole between Grass Island and the British
shore TO the Horseshoe, over which she was car
ried stern foremost and launched into th9
abyss below In her fall she was dashed to
pieces. / went below tho falls immediately
after the descent, and tho river presented @
singular appearance from the thousands of
floating fragments, there being scarcely to be
seen any two boards nailed togei her, and many
OF her timbers were broken into twenty
pieces. Such was the eagerness Of the multi
tude present 70 procure piece of her that boz
fore sunset a great part OF her was carried
away.
~ believe have already informed you Of
the animals on board The consisted Of buff
falo from the Rocky Mountains. two bears from
Greene Bay and Grand River two foxes, a
raccoon, q dog, cat, and four geese. The
fate OF these you Will probably wish TO learn.
Whom the vessel was left 10 her fate they were
let loose on deck, except the buffalo, who was
enclosed IN temporary pen. The two bears
left the vessel shortly after she began 10 de-
scend the rapids, and swan ashore notwith-
standing the rapidity OF tho current On
reaching the British shore they were taken.
The buffalo was seen 10 pass ovor the falls,
but was never seen afterward. Before ths
vessel reached the first rapids those who had
glasses could sec one Of the bears climbing
the mast, and the foxes, &C., were also run
ming up and down but nothing was seen Of
them after the schooner passed over. The on
~ live animals OF the crew that passed over
tho falls were two geese they were taken up
unhurt. Major Frazer obtained one, and an
English gentleman purchased the other fer 81.
Respecting tho e1igies the only one saw be-
low the falls was General Jackson, apparently
uninjured, throwing his arms about and
knocking his legs together In the eddies, a.
though he was the only one OF tho crew that
escaped unhurt.