The Old Scow Take Two (Niagara Barge)

On August 6, 1918, this steel barge was being towed up the Niagara River with a load of rock and a crew of three men when the tow line broke free from the tug boat.

Thinking quickly, the men released the dumping hatch at the bottom of the barge, grounding the mighty barge just 838 yards up river from the Falls. Rescue attempts continued for nearly 30 hours before the men were rescued from the crashing rapids, though their barge still remains grounded in the same place almost nine decades later!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Niagara
• Falls
• Barge
• The
• Old
• Scow
• rescue
• rapids
• river

[niagarafallsvlogger]

documentary coming soon!

[ajmell7]

when I lived in the area in the early 60s, I heard the story that one of the men had his hair turn white overnight from the terror. have you ever heard that?

[niagarafallsvlogger]

Yes indeed....Rumour has it that Mr. Harris hair turned from brown to white overnight. It makes for great folklore, whether it's true or not.

[niagarafallsvlogger]

It's in a place where it can be easily seen by all who view the brink of the Falls. The barge is actually anchored now, to prevent it from moving. To see it, so close to the brink is what makes the story so captivating.

[septicmandan]

So there was no real hurry to get off it then??!!!!!!

[niagarafallsvlogger]

Nah....

[mrsgoatlady77]

thank u SOOO much for posting! i miss Niag falls....

i heard maybe the barge is loose now???

[kolordak]

in every legend is apart of true, so capt. Harris hair might be just grey !!!

[roostertrigger]

no 'exposure'' in August....come on. white hair and all.

[IR0NMAIDEN12]

I wish a helicopter could take it by a rope and take it to a museum. Why are they just letting it sit there?