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A boat got stranded in the rapids above Niagara Falls in 1918. Last week, it finally broke free. A boat got stranded in the rapids above Niagara Falls in 1918. Last week, it finally broke free.
(about 11 hours later)
For over a century, the iron boat clung to the rocks in the rapids above the Niagara Falls, defying the forces of both time and nature. The vessel, known as the Iron Scow, had been lodged there ever since a fateful accident in 1918, when it broke free of a tugboat and swept downstream toward the falls with two men still on board. For over a century, the iron boat clung to the rocks in the rapids above the Niagara Falls, defying the forces of both time and nature.
It somehow stayed put just a third of a mile from the brink of the Horseshoe Falls, until this Halloween, when a storm bearing intense wind and rain knocked it from its perch. It came to a stop about 164 feet downstream, according to park officials, and appeared to have rotated and flipped on its side. The vessel, known as the Iron Scow, had been lodged there ever since a fateful accident in 1918, when it broke free of a tugboat and swept downstream toward the falls with two men still on board.
It somehow stayed put just a third of a mile from the brink of the Horseshoe Falls, until this Halloween, when a storm bearing intense wind and rain knocked it from its perch.
It came to a stop about 164 feet downstream, according to park officials, and appeared to have rotated and flipped on its side.
Last year, the park observed the centennial of the Iron Scow’s stranding and the daring rescue that ensued. The boat had deteriorated throughout the years, but the story of how it got there has lost none of its thrill.Last year, the park observed the centennial of the Iron Scow’s stranding and the daring rescue that ensued. The boat had deteriorated throughout the years, but the story of how it got there has lost none of its thrill.
Aug. 6, 1918, began normally for Gustav Lofberg, 51, and James Harris, 53, as they boarded the iron dumping scow to work on a dredging operation about a mile from the brink of Canada’s Horseshoe Falls, according to Niagara Parks.Aug. 6, 1918, began normally for Gustav Lofberg, 51, and James Harris, 53, as they boarded the iron dumping scow to work on a dredging operation about a mile from the brink of Canada’s Horseshoe Falls, according to Niagara Parks.
Then, the tether that connected them to a tugboat snapped. The scow began to drift downstream toward the edge of the falls and the 167-foot drop beyond.Then, the tether that connected them to a tugboat snapped. The scow began to drift downstream toward the edge of the falls and the 167-foot drop beyond.
Thinking quickly, the two men opened the bottom of the scow and allowed water to flood in, slowing the vessel and allowing it to strand on a cluster of rocks.Thinking quickly, the two men opened the bottom of the scow and allowed water to flood in, slowing the vessel and allowing it to strand on a cluster of rocks.
They had stopped the boat. Now they just had to get off it.They had stopped the boat. Now they just had to get off it.
A man was swept over the largest waterfall at Niagara Falls, police say. He survived.A man was swept over the largest waterfall at Niagara Falls, police say. He survived.
Canadian authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard rushed to their assistance, but with over 600 feet of treacherous rapids between the scow and the shore, getting Harris and Lofberg out safely would not be easy.Canadian authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard rushed to their assistance, but with over 600 feet of treacherous rapids between the scow and the shore, getting Harris and Lofberg out safely would not be easy.
As a crowd gathered to watch the mission unfold, rescuers used a lifeline cannon to shoot a line from the shore to the scow. A line of rope stretched across the rapids from a powerhouse to the scow, and, by that night, authorities were ready to hoist the two boatmen over the rapids using a canvas sling.As a crowd gathered to watch the mission unfold, rescuers used a lifeline cannon to shoot a line from the shore to the scow. A line of rope stretched across the rapids from a powerhouse to the scow, and, by that night, authorities were ready to hoist the two boatmen over the rapids using a canvas sling.
But as they sent the sling toward the boat, it suddenly jammed. The ropes had tangled, yet another setback in an already complex rescue.But as they sent the sling toward the boat, it suddenly jammed. The ropes had tangled, yet another setback in an already complex rescue.
Night fell. In the early hours of the next morning, a Canadian World War I veteran named William “Red” Hill Sr. volunteered to make the treacherous journey over the rapids to untangle the lines.Night fell. In the early hours of the next morning, a Canadian World War I veteran named William “Red” Hill Sr. volunteered to make the treacherous journey over the rapids to untangle the lines.
Rescuers hoisted him out, a spotlight guiding his way. On his first try, it was too dark to see the lines, but he went back out a second time at dawn and successfully untangled them. Shortly after that, Harris and Lofberg were brought safely back to shore.Rescuers hoisted him out, a spotlight guiding his way. On his first try, it was too dark to see the lines, but he went back out a second time at dawn and successfully untangled them. Shortly after that, Harris and Lofberg were brought safely back to shore.
The scow, however, could not be saved. Authorities deemed such a mission too dangerous, so the scow remained clinging to the rocks. For a century, the boat endured the constant battering of the currents and became a part of Niagara’s history. Even as its hull deteriorated, it remained visible to tourists on the Canadian side of the falls for decades. In 2018, the park commemorated the 100th anniversary of the daring rescue by honoring Hill’s bravery and dedicating panels that told the story.The scow, however, could not be saved. Authorities deemed such a mission too dangerous, so the scow remained clinging to the rocks. For a century, the boat endured the constant battering of the currents and became a part of Niagara’s history. Even as its hull deteriorated, it remained visible to tourists on the Canadian side of the falls for decades. In 2018, the park commemorated the 100th anniversary of the daring rescue by honoring Hill’s bravery and dedicating panels that told the story.
Niagara Falls is coated in ice — and absolutely jaw-droppingNiagara Falls is coated in ice — and absolutely jaw-dropping
After a brief moment of freedom on Oct. 31, the scow became stranded in a different part of the rapids. Park officials said they would monitor the vessel for any other changes.After a brief moment of freedom on Oct. 31, the scow became stranded in a different part of the rapids. Park officials said they would monitor the vessel for any other changes.
“It could be stuck there for days, or it could be stuck there for years,” said Jim Hill, senior manager of heritage for the Niagara Parks Commission. “It’s anyone’s guess.”“It could be stuck there for days, or it could be stuck there for years,” said Jim Hill, senior manager of heritage for the Niagara Parks Commission. “It’s anyone’s guess.”
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