The Ten Year Old Hero
On July 13, 1850, John William's ten year old son had to row his father to their home on Grand Island [some accounts say Navy Island] from Chippawa. The father was quite intoxicated and was absolutely useless in rowing, although he could assist somewhat in steering the canoe. The wind was incredibly strong and the little boat got pushed into the current which led to the rapids near the Falls.
The young boy struggled to fight the raging waters. He managed to get the canoe close to Goat Island but a wave pushed the helpless boat between the Three Sisters Islands. The situation was tense because, at this point, the little boat could have plunged over the Horseshoe Falls. Fate intervened and a wave capsized the boat. The pair were stranded in the water.
Luckily, they were near a rock and the water was fairly shallow at that particular point. The boy grabbed his father by the collar and dragged him to safety. A group of concerned citizens stood by to help them. The boy promptly fainted and his father sobered up somewhat. The canoe was smashed to bits on the rocks below.
Three Sisters Islands
It is difficult to imagine shallow water and a rock on which to disembark, but this photo gives a good idea that scenario around Three Sisters Islands.