Year: 1876

Capt. Gilbert Pratt, veteran mariner
now living in Belleville, Ont. whose period
of service on the lakes dates back nearly
half century, recalls an incident which,
though it has almost been forgotten. at
tracted considerable attention in its day.
Nessel-owners were then more conscien-
tious than now They were not inclined
to risk the lives of passengers in unsea-
worthy crafts. The owner of the old
schooner Michigan, then the largest yes-
sci had become old and rotten. and was
no longer serviceable. Instead of loading
her and sending her out late in the season
heavily insured to be wrecked, he chose
a harmless plan, but one less profitable to
himself. He induced the proprietors of
the hotels at Niagara Falls to buy the YES
sci and send it over the falls. This was
about the year 1880. This proposition
was eagerly accepted by the hotel proprie-
tors. who saw in it capital advertising
scheme, and one which would be certain
to pay them well.


The affair was widely published in the
newspapers, and was the talk of the sur
rounding country for weeks and weeks.
For several days previous to the great
event the stages and canal boats were
crowded. People flccked thither from all
parts of the country to witness the novel
spectacle of the greatest vessel on the
lakes going over the falls.


On the appointed day the Michigan was
towed out into the rapids in the presence
of large number Of people, who lined
the banks or visited the scene upon the
numerous excursion boats which were
called into reguisition. The task of tow
ing the vessel into the current was en-
trusted to Captain Rough with crew of
half dozen oarsmen selected by himself.
This was rather hazardous enterprise,
and Capt. Pratt, who was himself one of
the crew, says his heart almost failed him
when they set out, though he had gladly
volunteered for the service.


There had been placed on the schooner
several animals, in accordance with the
programme. which had been widely ad
vertised. These consisted of buffalo,
three bears. two foxes. racoon, q cat and
some geese. At her bOwsprit was the
American ensign, at her stern the Eng
lish Jack, the Canadian hotel-keepers hav-
ing joined in the enterprise. There were
also some efligies displayed on board to
give the appearance Of crew, and to
make more real the scene of a vessel with
all on board making the terrific plunge.
Just before the tow line was cut the ami
mails on board were turned loose. just as
the vessel entered the rapids two OF the
bears plunged overheard and actually
succeeded in swimming ashore. The
third one climbed the mast, as if to get
better view OF the scene. All the animals
seemed greatly frightened and ran from
one end of the deck tc the other. much
the same as human crew would have
done under similar circumstances in an
agony of despair


The vessel swept gradually down the
rapids. plunging over the first fall, ship.
ping little water, righting herself and
moving on in fine style. In going over
the second rapid the masts went by the
board and the bear with it, and neither
was again seen. She swung around and
presented her broadside to the foaming
waters. She had evidently struck rock
and was stationary Here it was thought
her career was ended and the affair was
over. The force of the waters swung her
around and she moved on stern foremost.
On the third rapid she biiged, but carried
her hull, apparently whole, straight to the
horseshoe fall, over which she plunged
stern formost to the foaming abyss below.
She was smashed into thousand frag.
ments. None of the beasts on board
were ever heard Of more, but the geese
turned up all right. and were soon seen on
the bank below quietly oiling their feath-
ers, as if there had not been much OF
shower after all. One of the efligies was
also found unnjured, throwing his arms
about and knocking his knees together
in the eddies, but all the others had disap-
peared. The scene was thrilling one.
The great crowd of spectators watched
the progress of the vessel with breath
less interest. and gave great cheer as she
made the final plunge