REMEMBERING NIAGARA’S Iron Scow Rescue The old iron scow, below, has been grounded since 1918 on rocks not far from Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls. On the left is the mist rising from the edge of the falls.

n 1918, two workers became stranded on a barge dangerously close to the edge of Horseshoe Falls. The men had been working Iupstream on the American side of the when the iron scow they were on, broke loose from its tug boat and began drifting toward the falls. The scow and the workers on board became trapped on rocks in the river, only 600 metres from death.

42 Views • summer 2019 summer 2019 • Niagara Escarpment Views 43 The iron scow remains in shallow rapids of the Niagara River.

HOW TO GET THERE The iron scow can be seen from the edge of Niagara River at Power Park, 6075 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls. Parking is available across the street from The power house at the Park. 6075 Niagara Parkway, A corner of the power house. from where the rescue In 1918, lines were sent from was launched. the roof over to the iron scow, lower right.

t was August 6, 1918 They were able to open The U.S. Coast Guard of carrying a person, was when the accident the bottom dumping doors brought a lifeline cannon from attached to the heavy rope. occurred. Two Americans of the scow, causing the New York to the roof of the Rescue personnel began Iworking on a dredging compartments to flood power house across from the sending the breeches buoy operation upriver from and slow the scow’s drift, scow’s grounding location. The out to the men on the scow. Horseshoe Falls, were on until it grounded on rocks cannon shot a light line out Part way there, the buoy the dumping scow when it in shallow rapids 600 to the two men, who secured stopped because of a serious became separated from its metres from the brink. it at their end. A heavy rope tangle in the rescue ropes. towing tug. The men, Gustav There they remained was then tied to the light line. F. Lofberg, aged 51, and James stranded for 19 hours A canvas sling suspended Heroic Rescue H. Harris, aged 53, drifted while a rescue was from a pulley, known as a A resident of Niagara Falls, dangerously toward the falls. repeatedly attempted. breeches buoy, and capable , William “Red” Hill,

44 Niagara Escarpment Views • summer 2019 summer 2019 • Niagara Escarpment Views 45 Sr., volunteered to make the not safely be moved, so it highly dangerous attempt has remained grounded for to swing over the Niagara more than 100 years. It can River on the heavy rope, hand still be seen from Toronto over hand, to untangle the Power Park, 6075 Niagara lines. Hill was an experienced Parkway in Niagara Falls. riverman and a soldier in the Great War who had recently Commemoration been sent home after being Last year marked the 100th wounded and gassed in battle. anniversary of the rescue and In the night’s darkness, a commemoration ceremony with only searchlights was held at the site at Toronto for illumination, it took Power Park. Niagara Parks Apply Davey’s patented Arbor Green PRO® two attempts and the next unveiled new materials morning’s bright sunrise that share the history of the fertilizer to help keep your trees healthy. before Hill was successful event. In addition, the scow » TREE & SHRUB » EMERGENCY in fixing the ropes. was lit up for 16 nights as a Harris was the first to reminder of the nighttime PRUNING STORM WORK be rescued by the breeches rescue effort by search lights. » TREE & SHRUB » REMOVALS & buoy, and later Lofberg Janice Thomson, chair FERTILIZATION STUMP GRINDING was alsoCanadian safely brought Antiques & Vintageof The Niagara Parks to the roof of the power Commission, explained in May-June 2019 » INSECT & DISEASE » PLANTING house. The next day, the her speech at the ceremony, two menSize: returned 1/6th to work. “While Niagara Parks had MANAGEMENT ThePDF iron Proof: scow could #1 previously erected a plaque

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THE FREELTON ANTIQUE MALL 10,000 Local, Ontario, Canadian and international THE FOUNDATION FOODS & GIFTS REPAIR SPECIALISTS • Crack Injection Specialists • Interior Drain Systems without excavation A member of the Niagara Police High Angle Rescue Team is • Exterior Waterproofi ng lowered from a Niagara Helicopter near the mist of Horseshoe Falls, demonstrating how stranded people are rescued today. Over 250 vendors offering a unique selection of china, System glassware, collectibles, furniture, art, primitives and nostalgia Open 6 days a week • CPA Drain Systems for Monday & Wednesday 10 to 5 window wells Closed Tuesday • Thursday to Sunday 10 to 6 • Sump Pump Celebrating 21 years Maintenance Program Located in the Village of Freelton, Ontario 89 Main Street South off Hwy #6 North between Hamilton and Guelph Downtown Georgetown 905.877.6569 905-358-2971 905-659-0948 OR www.freeltonantiquemall.com Foodstuffs.ca Foodstuffs_Inc 519-570-0938 Foodstuffs.Georgetown ▲ TheE:[email protected] compost demonstration area was built by volunteers.

46 Niagara Escarpment Views • summer 2019 summer 2019 • Niagara Escarpment Views 47

New Location June 2016 www.reddoorgallery.ca

Gallery | Gift Shop | Studios Restaurant

▲ Created and maintained by a volunteer for years as a tended butterfly garden, this large area has been allowed to become more natural butterfly habitat. Seeds and stems of native plants are left www.williamsmill.com for over-wintering birds and animals as food and protection.

48 Niagara Escarpment Views • summer 2016

42-51 NEV 2016-02.indd 48 2016-05-05 10:41 PM Eat & Stay Along the Niagara Escarpment

Niagara Parks staff unveiling new interpretive panels among the descendants of Red Hill.

Kip Finn, left, the great grandson of Red Hill, who was crucial in The dining room of Evergreen Lodge saving the two stranded men, and looks out over Lake Huron. PHOTO BY MIKE DAVIS. Dan Hill, Red’s grandson. Kip is wearing a T shirt with a photo of Red in uniform with medals, sitting in a vessel that reads, in part: ACTON & GEORGETOWN CREEMORE “William Red Hill, master hero of McDonald’s Clearview Station Bed & Niagara.” Dan holds a document The perennial favourite, drive- Breakfast Stone Edge Estate noting a medal for bravery that was through or eat in. B&B accommodation, three given to Red in 1920, but was lost, Bed & Breakfast, Georgetown Ontario 374 Queen St. E., Acton, rooms with queen bed, in an as well as a replacement medal that was presented in 2018. Open at 5 a.m. authentic, refurbished Ontario 185 Guelph St., Georgetown, Northland caboose as well Open 24 hours as in the home, overlooking the Niagara Escarpment near ALTON Creemore. Rays 3rd Generation 7262 12/13 Sideroad, Bistro Bakery Nottawasaga Township, RR2 Chef Jason Perkins runs this Creemore, 1.855.522.6673, A touch of luxury on the Niagara Escarpment 13951 Ninth Line Large bright rooms with ensuite bath, TV & bar fridge. Georgetown, ON charming country bakery/eating clearviewstation.com 905 702 8418 gem. The blackboard menu goes Indoor pool, jacuzzi, wifi, handicap friendly. www.StoneEdgeEstate.ca from lunch sandwiches to dinner GEORGETOWN grilled beef tenderloin; on their Stone Edge Estate on these grounds, signifying but more importantly, In addition, a high angle Finally, the iron scow was Facebook page there was a rave Luxurious B&B in a manor house the rich history and important commemorates the rescue rescue exercise was conducted illuminated by searchlights for about their chicken parm. Casual on the Niagara Escarpment. rescue efforts, no formal efforts of everyone involved.” to demonstrate how the scow 16 nights, to commemorate atmosphere, live music. Indoor pool, Jacuzzi spas, recognition was ever bestowed Descendants of Red Hill rescue would be performed Red’s perilous nighttime 1475 Queen St., Alton, Open elevator. Popular for wedding or afforded to those directly were recognized with a if it occurred today. The efforts lit only by searchlight, Tues-Sat for lunch & dinner, parties. involved in the rescue of surprise. Kip Finn, a great- Niagara Parks Police HART, when he dangled over the 519.941.6121 13951 Ninth Line, Georgetown, Gustav Lofberg and James grandson, had approached or high angle rescue team, Niagara River, close to the 905.702.8418, StoneEdgeEstate.ca RESTAURANT & PUB Harris, the two American Niagara Parks about and Niagara Helicopters falls, working to untangle COLLINGWOOD presenting a replacement for showed the dramatic retrieval two men’s only lifeline. workers stranded on the Pretty River Valley The Bridgewood Outdoor Patios, British Pub, scow. This evening we are Red’s lost medal for bravery of a man on the ground. A Country Inn Authentic Italian cuisine with Licensed Dining pleased to be unveiling a which had been made in helicopter flew overhead Niagara Falls is located on Upscale inn on 125 acres of Ni- fresh pastas made onsite daily, Circa new Niagara Parks plaque 1920 by the Royal Canadian with another man on a cable, the Niagara Escarpment lionsheadinn.ca 1879 agara Escarpment hills. Walking thin-crust pizza, steak & seafood. which commemorates Humane Association. Red’s who descended to pick up which is also found in New trails, Icelandic horses, reindeer. Gluten-free alternatives. the 100th anniversary of grandson Dan Hill was the man on the ground York State. The falls actually 8 Helen St., Lion’s Head, 519.793.4601 529742 Osprey-The Blue 115 Main St. South, the grounding of the scow, given the replacement. and then fly safely away. go over the Escarpment. Mountains Tline, Nottawa, Georgetown, 289.891.9188, 48 Niagara Escarpment Views • summer 2019 705.445.7598, prettyriverinn.com thebridgewood.ca summer 2019 • Niagara Escarpment Views 49