The Maid of the Mist
In 1846, the first Maid of the Mist was launched. A more luxurious version of the steamer was built in 1854. The landing was above the Railway Suspension Bridge, and she took tourists to the Falls and back. The owner of the boat, W. O. Buchanan, feared the outbreak of a Civil War and he faced financial ruin so he decided to sell the boat. He received an offer from a Montreal company. They made the offer with the condition that he would deliver the boat to Niagara, opposite the fort at Lewiston. Buchanan came up with the idea that he would run her through the rapids. He employed two sailors who were used to running the rapids in the St. Laurence River. When the time came to make the trip, they refused.
It was decided that the Maid of the Mist's own captain, Joel R. Robinson would be the pilot. Mr. Jones was the engineer and he decided to accompany Robinson. Mr. McIntyre, a machinist also went along. On June 6, 1861, they set off with confidence as Robinson shrieked the whistle and a white puff of smoke rose from the escape pipe.
The boat left the dock at Bellevue, New York and ran up the eddy, then swung to the right where it sailed smoothly through the water and sped into the rapids under the bridge. Robinson was planning to take the inside curve of the rapids, but a cross-current carried the vessel to the outer curve. A jet of water slapped the rudder and a column of water went under her starboard side and keeled her over. The smokestack was carried away and Robinson was laid out, flat on his back. McIntyre was thrust against the starboard wheel-house with such violence that the wheel-house broke.
A photograph by George E. Curtis
Captain Robinson and his perilous journey were immortalized in this drawing by G.C. Loewenthal
Finally, she slid into the whirlpool and rode on an even keel. Robinson collected himself, took the helm and set the boat right as he led it onwards toward Lewiston. After passing the railway bridge, it took them 17 1/2 minutes to get to Lewiston, minus the smokestack. It is said that Robinson aged quickly after his ordeal and he never ventured out onto the Niagara River again.
Maid of the Mist by the Falls