Boat stuck above Niagara Falls for over a century comes to rest

An iron boat stuck above Niagara Falls for more than a century, which moved because of severe weather in October 2019, has finally come to rest.

“Since moving on October 31st 2019, the scow has remained in the same location for the most part, with some small pieces continuing to break off,” says a park spokesperson.

Rain and strong winds were responsible for moving the boat.

“We think it’s about 50 metres down the river from its original location,” says Jim Hill, senior manager of heritage for Niagara Parks, adding that the vessel “flipped on its side”.

Known as the Iron Scow, the boat is an iconic feature of Niagara Falls and had been stuck in the rocks about 600 metres from the edge of the falls since 1918 when it broke loose from a tug, leaving two men stranded aboard. They were rescued the following day.

The boat had been involved with a dredging operation about 1.6 kilometres above Horseshoe Falls. After breaking loose from the tug, it drifted into the Niagara River’s midstream and headed towards the falls. On board were Gustav Lofberg, 51, and 53-year old James Harris.

In spite of the mind-numbing fear that must have gripped the two men, they had the presence of mind to open the scow’s bottom dumping doors, flooding its compartments. This slowed the scow’s progress until it grounded on some rocks opposite a large powerhouse. The men were now marooned in the torturous upper rapids, about 200 metres from the Canadian shore and 600 metres from the brink of the cataract.

A lifeline cannon, rushed to the scene by the U.S. Coast Guard, was able to shoot a line from the roof of the powerhouse out to the stranded men. Harris and Lofberg tied this light rope to a crude windlass they had constructed. A heavier rope was then tied to the lifeline.

At 9:30pm that evening, a breeches buoy (a canvas sling suspended from a pulley) was put in place on the heavy rope. With the cooperation of The Niagara Parks Police, The Niagara Falls Fire and Police Departments, and hydro workers on the powerhouse roof, they began to move the breeches buoy out to the scow.

Part way out the breeches buoy suddenly stopped due to a tangle in the ropes.

This problem was not solved until the very early hours of the following morning when William Hill Sr. offered to go out and correct the problem on the lines.

With the beam of a search light following him, Hill went out in the breeches buoy to untangle the lines. When the sun came up, Hill went back out a second time and successfully untangled the lines.

The two men were safely brought ashore, with James Harris reaching the powerhouse roof at 8:50am, followed by Gustav Lofberg about an hour later.

Every year, millions of tourists visit Niagara Falls, which is made up of three waterfalls spread across the United States and Canada. Niagara Falls is the name of three waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. The Canadian side of Niagara Falls, located between Goat Island and Table Rock, is known as the Horseshoe Falls.

Watch the Iron Scow gripping to its position.