Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-11-05
LIGHTING NIAGARA.
Six Monster Searchlights and Gelatine Screens
10 illuminate the Famous Gorge,


From the Rochester Post and Ex-
press.l
An experiment in lighting the gorge
Of the Niagara river which was tried
this week in connection with the con-
ventlon OF electricians, is likely to bear
important results, and has furnished II
spectacle of extraordinary magnih-
cence. The illumination was arranged
under the personal direction Of Luther
Suerlnger, the man who designed and
operated the illuminatipns ana electric
fountains at the Worlds Fair. on the
platform car between two open cars,
he took six monster electric search
lights and n number of colored gelatine
screens. At 10 o'clock in the evening
the start was made down the Gorge
ROAD. The searchlights took their cleo
trlcity from the trolley wire, and when
they We're directed upon the shores and
tumbling river, and the lights in the
open cars were turned the scene was
rarely beautiful. 1t looked as though
such (moon) hight as never was, on
land or sea-" had transformed the
scene. But as the cars moved on, and
Mr.. Stieringer changed the screens, far
more magical, wonderful and startling
effects were secured.
Now It looked as though one We're
seeing with Dante eyes, so red and
fierce was the scene. and so dorl;lv
red the shadOwy banks between which
the river tossed waves OF blood Fur
Their down, beneath the new steel arch
bridge. where the furious rapids were
tossing the spray fifty feet or more
in the air. red and green lights were
used. Then the plain lights We're shown
again, and then, where the RAPIDS are
strongest and widest. the red screens
We're used with an effect whose weird
ness the contrast vastly heightened.
So impressive was the spectacle that
for several minutes there was absolute
silence in the cars. aud then cheer of
admiration broke out.
From that point to the end Of the
road the colors were changed rapidly,
with beautiful effect, and at midnight
the party returned to the falls. 1t is
said that the success Of the experiment
insures the illumination of the gorge
by seorchllghts next season. and that
means the addition to the attractions
Of Niagara of wonderfully thrilling
night spectacle, and one which, once
seen, will not be forgotten.
Former visitors to Niagara will recall
that when the state reservation was
private property there was for the last
SEASON or two n successful illumination
Of the upper rapids and Of the falls
themselves. and a heightcniuC Of their
wildness and welrdness and beauty by
similar use OF colored screens. The
Scene was one to remember, and MIA
CARA visitors have renson to congrRtu-
late themselves that private enterprise
AGAIN pronoses thus to enhance the
night wonder Of Niagara. For YOU
may cro8k as YOU please about "natur-
NJ" beauty. nature is too nrone TO veil
her haautv nj night: and II osthptes he
shocked Mt an artificial colorlug Of the
water, and find no compnnsation for
loss Of nnturalness IN such bcwllder-
ing riotousness OF color and grotesque-
moss as one can hardly drram Of. oven
they must approve the lights which
mako visible the natural beauty whom
darkness would otherwise veil the
scene.