Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 July 1890 — EXCURSIONISTS IN GREAT PERIL. [ARTICLE]

EXCURSIONISTS IN GREAT PERIL.

Steamer and Barge Almost Swept Over Niagara Falls Saved by a Knot in the Anchor Chain. One hundred and fifty excursionists —men, women and children—on the steamer Ella H., narrowly escaped going over falls Tuesday. The boat runs between Port Day and Buekhorn IslandTuesday, owing to the low stage of the water, she was qbliged to run around Green Island. Just as she was rounding the Island in the swiftest part of the river at that point the engine gave out. The anchor was heaved overboard, but it failed to catch for some distance, dragging along on the rocky bottom. When it did finally take hold the boat was under such headway that the bulk-head to which the uawser was attached was torn from its fastenings. Whermearly the whole eh attt hM bben run out the end became knotted fn the hole in the bulwarks and held the boat. The trouble with the engine proved to be a defective valve, which was soon repaired, and the boat was again got underheadway but so great was tbe force of the current that it took flfteeiFminutea to get to where tbe anchor had caught, a hundred feet up stream from tho boat. There were about one hundred and bfty passengers on the steamer and in the pleasure barge attached to it. There was a terrible scene of confusion. Women fainted, the children screamed and men bade each other goodbye. The boat was only a short distance above the falls when it stopped. Tbe Senate passed the sundry civiLbil) on iSe- 19th. TfcSPHouse, considered the original package measure.