This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
Boat Stuck at Niagara Falls Moves for First Time Since 1918 ¶
For over a century, a shipwreck in the Niagara Falls rapids has been a source of fascination for visitors. The wreck, a 80-foot-long scow, was left behind after a daring rescue in 1918. On Thursday night, a storm brought winds of over 50 miles per hour, causing the scow to break free from its position and roll 160 feet downriver.
According to David Adames, chief executive of the Niagara Parks Commission, the scow had been stuck in the same position for 100 years. "I thought it would be there for all time," he said. "The wreck has been out there for 100 years. It's just part of the Niagara Falls story."
The scow was left behind after a rescue operation in 1918, in which a team of volunteers from the United States and Canada saved two sailors, James Harris and Gustav Lofberg, who were stranded on the scow. The rescue operation lasted two days and involved the use of a pulley system and a breeches buoy to pull the men to safety.
Now, officials are considering whether to remove the scow from the water to prevent a potential safety hazard. "We are confident right now that it's lodged where it is, but we are going to look at all our options if we think there could be a safety issue," Mr. Adames said.
The scow's rusting exterior and the high waters caused by the storm are believed to have contributed to its dislodgement. In the coming weeks, the Niagara Parks Commission will evaluate whether the scow is likely to move again and consider removing it if it poses a threat to structures downstream.
