A Boat Trapped At Niagara Falls For Over 100 Years Is Moved By A Storm On Halloween

Nov 19, 2019

Generations have grown up seeing a large boat that looks similar to a barge stranded in the Niagara river for over 100 years. This vessel, which remained in one place for over a century, finally broke loose on October 31, 2019. It made its way 160 feet further down the river. Now everyone wonders if the famous boat is destined to reach the falls or spend another lifetime stuck in its new position.

When the boat moved after all those years and gained media attention, many people started wondering about its history. How did it come to be lodged in that spot for over 100 years in the first place?

As detailed in The Standard, the boat took off one fateful day in August of 1918.

Gustave Loftberg and Frank Harris, a couple of workers from the Great Lakes Dredge and Docks Company, were on board the vessel as it was being tugged along on the U.S. side of the Niagara River. Their job was to dredge along the edge of the canal leading to the Niagara Falls Power Company's hydraulic canal.

All of a sudden, the rope on the tugboat broke, letting the 80-foot long sand scow free to be swept down to the treacherous Horseshoe Falls. Her two terrified passengers thought they were surely doomed.

In an incredible twist of fate, the scow got stuck on a rock shoal within half a mile of the dropoff.

Several hundred rescuers from both the Canadian and American sides of the falls rushed to the rescue. One courageous Canadian volunteer, William "Red" Hill, Sr. put his own life on the line to save the two deckhands from a watery grave. After 13 hours they were extremely grateful to set foot on dry land once again.

The big question throughout the rescue was whether or not the scow would stay put. Everyone expected it top possibly come dislodged from its place at any moment. Thankfully, that didn't happen. In fact, to everyone's surprise, the barge stayed in the same spot for over 100 years.

The barge soon gained notoriety. It came to be referred to as the "Niagara Scow" or "Iron Scow."

After a century of being lodged in one place, the scow was bestowed with historical panels and a plaque presented by the Niagara parks department. Little did everyone realize how soon after that momentous occasion the scow's location would change.

A Halloween day storm gave the scow the nudge that it needed to dislodge it from the shoal. The boat, still located in the upper rapids, changed position. It ended up moving downriver. Local authorities are keeping a close watch on the scow.

If they see signs that it's getting ready to break loose once again, they'll take whatever measures they deem necessary to keep this beloved historical vessel in one piece.

Are you surprised that the Niagara Scow stayed in one place for over a century? Is it eerie that it was dislodged on Halloween? Pass this story along to let others know about this fascinating bit of history.