Would you crap your pants if...(this happened to you?) [PIC & text] - GoFuckYourself.com

SilentKnight · 04-13-2006, 11:13 AM

The other day I was down by Niagara Falls (once again)...doin' a little photography. Anyone who's ever visited the Falls has undoubtedly seen the old scow grounded in mid-river a few hundred yards from the brink of Horseshoe Falls.

But many likely don't know the amazing story behind how it got there. Here's a shot taken the other day - and the tale (yeah, I know...long read):

At about 3 p.m. on the afternoon of Tuesday August 6th 1918, a steel sand scow (barge) was engaged in dredging operation in the fast currents on the American side of the Niagara River opposite Port Day at the entrance of the Niagara Falls Power Company hydraulic canal. The scow was being towed by the tug boat - "Hassayampa" being operated by Captain John Wallace. The scow had two deck hands aboard. They were Gustave Loftberg, age 51 and Frank Harris, age 53. The tug and scow were owned and operated by the Great Lakes Dredge and Docks Company. During the operation, the tug suddenly struck a sandbar approximately a ½ mile upriver from the Falls. The taunt rope that held the barge to the tug snapped "like a thin string".

The powerless and empty barge quickly drifted out of control into the Canadian channel and towards the Horseshoe Falls. Loftberg and Harris were helpless and could do nothing to stop the scow. They were seen trying to slow the swift progress of the scow with the use of makeshift oars but with no success. Although some reports indicate that, they opened the two holes in the bottom of the scow to allow water to enter the barge, they simply had no time. Loftberg and Harris could only hope and pray for a miracle as they faced to see rising mist of the great Horseshoe Falls growing closer by the second. The roar of the Falls echoed in their ears. In a twist of fate, the scow became grounded and became lodged on a rock shoal at 2,500 feet (767m) upriver from the Horseshoe Falls in the shallow but fast moving cascades.

The alarm that the sand scow was being swept towards the Falls with two deck hands aboard spread throughout Niagara Falls, New York and the towns on the Canadian side. Hundreds of people crowded the buildings that lined the shore and the riverbanks to watch the human helplessness and the scow's progress. When the scow grounded it electrified everyone. Hundreds of men made for the point on the Canadian shore nearest the ledge.

Employees of the Toronto Power Company who had watched the scow drifting in the river from the roof of the company building rushed to telephones. Calls were sent to the fire departments in Niagara Falls, New York and Niagara Falls, Ontario and to the Life Saving Station in Youngstown, New York.

Benjamin Hall of Pennsylvania Street in Niagara Falls, New York witnessed the barge careening out of control through the rapids until it ground in mid stream just off the head of the island. At the urging of Mr. Hall, the Youngstown Life Savers (United States Coast Guard) were sent for.

Loftberg and Harris began ripping huge timbers from the inside of the barge and were seen throwing some overboard. They were actually building a makeshift windlass (a winch device) in hopes that if a rope line from shore could somehow reach them they would be able to secure the line to the barge in order to hopefully prevent the barge from becoming dislodged and moving any closer to the Falls. A bungled haul would mean the dislodging of the scow.

With sheer determination and with their very lives at stake, Loftberg and Harris completed building the clumsy windlass. The two stranded men could now only wait.

While awaiting rescue, Loftberg, thinking safety tied himself to the barge. Harris, on the other hand tied a rope around himself with the other end tied to a barrel. Harris thought that if the barge broke free, he could jump clear and hope that the barrel got caught up on more rocks.

A rescue boat could not be utilized to rescue the two men because of the distance, the turbulence of the rapids and the proximity to the Horseshoe Falls.

The Niagara Falls Fire Department was the first to arrive at the Power Company Building. They brought with them a small life saving gun. It was carried to the roof of the building. Chief A. H. Newman discharged the gun. The rope rolled out towards the barge. It spun out about 300 feet (91.4m) before falling into the river. A second attempt was made but with the same result. In the meantime an army truck bearing five men from the Life Saving Station in Youngstown and their equipment including a larger gun and longer ropes. The five men were on their way from Fort Niagara at best speed driven by Private Fred Daubney. The truck made the 25 mile trip in 35 minutes.

When the men from the Life Saving Station arrived with a gun capable of firing a lifeline to the scow, they mounted their gun on the roof of the Toronto Power House. The first shot to the scow with a light weight rope was successful shot over the barge. Loftberg and Harris grabbed the rope and began the process of pulling it aboard and connecting it to the windlass. In the meantime, the rescuers tied a much heavier rope to the end of the first rope. Loftberg and Harris began the long struggle of winding the rope in from the power house to the scow. The weight of the heavy rope was being carried downriver by the torrent of water and threatened in itself to dislodge the barge. At a time more than a hundred men on shore were needed to pulled the rope taunt in order to prevent this from happening.

After many hours of labor under terrifying conditions, Loftberg and Harris were able to bring the heavy rope aboard the barge and secure it to the windlass. By this time darkness had arrived.

With nightfall, huge searchlights were erected and trained on the scow and rescue rope. A breeches buoy (a chair like attachment) followed the line but became snarled half way across.

At 3 a.m. on Wednesday August 7th, Red Hill Sr. went out hand over hand along the rope as his body was tugged by the current of the rapids. Red Hill Sr. reached the tangled breech buoy and worked for hours until he was able to untangle it in order to allow the rescue.

With the arrival of dawn, thousands of people crowded the shoreline watching this drama unfold. At 8:30 a.m., Red Hill journeyed out again. This time Hill got within 130 feet (40m) from the scow. From here, he was able to talk to Loftberg and Harris. Hill discovered that one of the small coils of rope on the scow was wound around the big rope from the breeches-buoy, preventing the buoy from getting closer to the scow. Hill tried to shout directions to Loftberg and Harris but both had become so weak that they had difficulty untangling the rope. With Hill giving instructions and the persistence of both crew members, the rope was finally untangled. Hill returned to the roof of the Toronto Power House.

With Charles Possert and Thomas Darrington, both riggers from the Toronto Power Company working the lines, Hill was able to make his way to the stranded scow. Harris, suffering from hunger and exposure was the first removed from the scow to safety. Loftberg followed. It was 10 a.m. by the time Loftberg was brought safely to shore.

William "Red" Hill Sr. was awarded a Carnegie Life Saving Medal for his heroic efforts. The crew of the scow had been rescued without any loss of life.

The loss of the barge was estimated by company officials at $36,000. Discussions about the possible salvage and recovery of the barge soon followed however it was expected that winter ice would soon dislodge the barge and carry it over the Falls.

The sand barge (scow) although rusting and disintegrating with age, still remains in the same location where it became stuck eighty-two (82) years ago. It is located just south of the Toronto Power House (which was closed in 1974) close to the Canadian shoreline.

InsaneMidget · 04-13-2006, 11:17 AM

It'll be a fun day when that dislodges and comes down on the maid of the mist.

Deej · 04-13-2006, 11:21 AM

Crazy stuff..... was along one

SilentKnight · 04-13-2006, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsaneMidget

It'll be a fun day when that dislodges and comes down on the maid of the mist.

Heh...wouldn't that be a sight.

Actually, slim chance of that happening. The Maids don't get close enough to the Falls to be impacted IF the old barge got loose. Plus, even if it got loose...its rusted so bad it would likely break up on the way to the edge and would go over in pieces.

Still - would make a helluva splash, though. Would be cool to catch it on video.

SilentKnight · 04-13-2006, 11:39 AM

Another shot taken the other day down by the Falls...

dakota1358 · 04-13-2006, 12:14 PM

The pics are great and the story was very interesting.Nice to learn something new

madawgz · 04-13-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilentKnight

Another shot taken the other day down by the Falls...

thats a beautiful shot! holy fuck

pawsregd · 04-13-2006, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilentKnight

Another shot taken the other day down by the Falls...

Man it just makes me want to stick my hand in there to feel the force

Manowar · 04-13-2006, 12:38 PM

damn that looks awesome

DutchTeenCash · 04-13-2006, 12:40 PM

thats an amazing pic

Warning Pages · 04-13-2006, 12:45 PM

nice shooting kid !!!!!!!!

Bryan G · 04-13-2006, 12:46 PM

Sweet pics!

Kevsh · 04-13-2006, 12:51 PM

Great story, I never heard about that and I've been to the Falls a few times.

Sideline: If FEMA had been in charge, they'd still be there today ...

calibra · 04-13-2006, 12:59 PM

That was really interesting to read. And the pics are great. Thanx for sharing!

Pipecrew · 04-13-2006, 01:23 PM

Anyone go over in a barrell lately? havent heard much

BigBen · 04-13-2006, 01:35 PM

Perhaps I missed something, but couldn't they just have a helicopter lift them out?

Wiggles · 04-13-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilentKnight

Another shot taken the other day down by the Falls...

thats an awesome pic!
i got married in Niagara canadian side, beautiful place!

SilentKnight · 04-13-2006, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBen

Perhaps I missed something, but couldn't they just have a helicopter lift them out?

You missed reading - it was in 1918.

Jade^ · 04-13-2006, 02:01 PM

Awesome pic (waterfalls)

tyler. · 04-13-2006, 02:06 PM

interesting story and nice pics

pornguy · 04-13-2006, 03:58 PM

Great photos as usual.

Hollywood Horwitz · 04-13-2006, 04:52 PM

interesting story! thnx for sharing!

SilentKnight · 04-13-2006, 05:14 PM

Arghh....dupe post.

BigBen · 04-13-2006, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilentKnight

You missed reading - it was in 1918.

My ADD only allows me to remember the last 3 sentences I read.

stickyfingerz · 04-13-2006, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBen

My ADD only allows me to remember the last 3 sentences I read.

Hey Ben nice meeting you in Phoenix.

Vitasoy · 04-13-2006, 10:45 PM

Damn.. but you take awesome pics

uvort · 04-13-2006, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilentKnight

Another shot taken the other day down by the Falls...

Amazing.

czarina · 04-13-2006, 11:15 PM

Those are great photos. I wish I could shoot like that.,

gecko · 04-14-2006, 05:11 AM

The water fall one rocks

SilentKnight · 04-14-2006, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBen

My ADD only allows me to remember the last 3 sentences I read.

I suspected as much.

You see...reading helps prevent people from asking dumb questions like why a helicopter didn't rescue someone from a barge in 1918.

SilentKnight · 04-14-2006, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by czarina

Those are great photos. I wish I could shoot like that.,

Thanks czarina.

My father (who's also a photographer) is often fond of saying - "The only difference between a good and bad photographer...is 5 more rolls of film." The idea being the more pics you take, the better your chance of getting at least a few good ones.

I just shoot a LOT of pics, lol.

Quagmire · 04-14-2006, 06:09 AM

I love going to the edge of the falls and watching the water go over. Its so clear and shallow you can see the rocks right at the edge of the falls.

04-13-2006, 11:13 AM	#1
SilentKnight Megan Fox's fluffer Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: shooting pool in Elysium Posts: 24,818	Would you crap your pants if...(this happened to you?) [PIC & text] The other day I was down by Niagara Falls (once again)...doin' a little photography. Anyone who's ever visited the Falls has undoubtedly seen the old scow grounded in mid-river a few hundred yards from the brink of Horseshoe Falls. But many likely don't know the amazing story behind how it got there. Here's a shot taken the other day - and the tale (yeah, I know...long read): At about 3 p.m. on the afternoon of Tuesday August 6th 1918, a steel sand scow (barge) was engaged in dredging operation in the fast currents on the American side of the Niagara River opposite Port Day at the entrance of the Niagara Falls Power Company hydraulic canal. The scow was being towed by the tug boat - "Hassayampa" being operated by Captain John Wallace. The scow had two deck hands aboard. They were Gustave Loftberg, age 51 and Frank Harris, age 53. The tug and scow were owned and operated by the Great Lakes Dredge and Docks Company. During the operation, the tug suddenly struck a sandbar approximately a ½ mile upriver from the Falls. The taunt rope that held the barge to the tug snapped "like a thin string". The powerless and empty barge quickly drifted out of control into the Canadian channel and towards the Horseshoe Falls. Loftberg and Harris were helpless and could do nothing to stop the scow. They were seen trying to slow the swift progress of the scow with the use of makeshift oars but with no success. Although some reports indicate that, they opened the two holes in the bottom of the scow to allow water to enter the barge, they simply had no time. Loftberg and Harris could only hope and pray for a miracle as they faced to see rising mist of the great Horseshoe Falls growing closer by the second. The roar of the Falls echoed in their ears. In a twist of fate, the scow became grounded and became lodged on a rock shoal at 2,500 feet (767m) upriver from the Horseshoe Falls in the shallow but fast moving cascades. The alarm that the sand scow was being swept towards the Falls with two deck hands aboard spread throughout Niagara Falls, New York and the towns on the Canadian side. Hundreds of people crowded the buildings that lined the shore and the riverbanks to watch the human helplessness and the scow's progress. When the scow grounded it electrified everyone. Hundreds of men made for the point on the Canadian shore nearest the ledge. Employees of the Toronto Power Company who had watched the scow drifting in the river from the roof of the company building rushed to telephones. Calls were sent to the fire departments in Niagara Falls, New York and Niagara Falls, Ontario and to the Life Saving Station in Youngstown, New York. Benjamin Hall of Pennsylvania Street in Niagara Falls, New York witnessed the barge careening out of control through the rapids until it ground in mid stream just off the head of the island. At the urging of Mr. Hall, the Youngstown Life Savers (United States Coast Guard) were sent for. Loftberg and Harris began ripping huge timbers from the inside of the barge and were seen throwing some overboard. They were actually building a makeshift windlass (a winch device) in hopes that if a rope line from shore could somehow reach them they would be able to secure the line to the barge in order to hopefully prevent the barge from becoming dislodged and moving any closer to the Falls. A bungled haul would mean the dislodging of the scow. With sheer determination and with their very lives at stake, Loftberg and Harris completed building the clumsy windlass. The two stranded men could now only wait. While awaiting rescue, Loftberg, thinking safety tied himself to the barge. Harris, on the other hand tied a rope around himself with the other end tied to a barrel. Harris thought that if the barge broke free, he could jump clear and hope that the barrel got caught up on more rocks. A rescue boat could not be utilized to rescue the two men because of the distance, the turbulence of the rapids and the proximity to the Horseshoe Falls. The Niagara Falls Fire Department was the first to arrive at the Power Company Building. They brought with them a small life saving gun. It was carried to the roof of the building. Chief A. H. Newman discharged the gun. The rope rolled out towards the barge. It spun out about 300 feet (91.4m) before falling into the river. A second attempt was made but with the same result. In the meantime an army truck bearing five men from the Life Saving Station in Youngstown and their equipment including a larger gun and longer ropes. The five men were on their way from Fort Niagara at best speed driven by Private Fred Daubney. The truck made the 25 mile trip in 35 minutes. When the men from the Life Saving Station arrived with a gun capable of firing a lifeline to the scow, they mounted their gun on the roof of the Toronto Power House. The first shot to the scow with a light weight rope was successful shot over the barge. Loftberg and Harris grabbed the rope and began the process of pulling it aboard and connecting it to the windlass. In the meantime, the rescuers tied a much heavier rope to the end of the first rope. Loftberg and Harris began the long struggle of winding the rope in from the power house to the scow. The weight of the heavy rope was being carried downriver by the torrent of water and threatened in itself to dislodge the barge. At a time more than a hundred men on shore were needed to pulled the rope taunt in order to prevent this from happening. After many hours of labor under terrifying conditions, Loftberg and Harris were able to bring the heavy rope aboard the barge and secure it to the windlass. By this time darkness had arrived. With nightfall, huge searchlights were erected and trained on the scow and rescue rope. A breeches buoy (a chair like attachment) followed the line but became snarled half way across. At 3 a.m. on Wednesday August 7th, Red Hill Sr. went out hand over hand along the rope as his body was tugged by the current of the rapids. Red Hill Sr. reached the tangled breech buoy and worked for hours until he was able to untangle it in order to allow the rescue. With the arrival of dawn, thousands of people crowded the shoreline watching this drama unfold. At 8:30 a.m., Red Hill journeyed out again. This time Hill got within 130 feet (40m) from the scow. From here, he was able to talk to Loftberg and Harris. Hill discovered that one of the small coils of rope on the scow was wound around the big rope from the breeches-buoy, preventing the buoy from getting closer to the scow. Hill tried to shout directions to Loftberg and Harris but both had become so weak that they had difficulty untangling the rope. With Hill giving instructions and the persistence of both crew members, the rope was finally untangled. Hill returned to the roof of the Toronto Power House. With Charles Possert and Thomas Darrington, both riggers from the Toronto Power Company working the lines, Hill was able to make his way to the stranded scow. Harris, suffering from hunger and exposure was the first removed from the scow to safety. Loftberg followed. It was 10 a.m. by the time Loftberg was brought safely to shore. William "Red" Hill Sr. was awarded a Carnegie Life Saving Medal for his heroic efforts. The crew of the scow had been rescued without any loss of life. The loss of the barge was estimated by company officials at $36,000. Discussions about the possible salvage and recovery of the barge soon followed however it was expected that winter ice would soon dislodge the barge and carry it over the Falls. The sand barge (scow) although rusting and disintegrating with age, still remains in the same location where it became stuck eighty-two (82) years ago. It is located just south of the Toronto Power House (which was closed in 1974) close to the Canadian shoreline.

04-13-2006, 11:21 AM	#3
Deej I make pixels work Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: I live here... Posts: 24,386	Crazy stuff..... was along one __________________ Deej's Designs n' What Not Hit me up for Design, CSS & Photo Retouching Icq#30096880

04-13-2006, 12:14 PM	#6
dakota1358 Confirmed User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Baltimore,Md Posts: 2,114	The pics are great and the story was very interesting.Nice to learn something new __________________ Carmen Cocks Rocks

04-13-2006, 12:40 PM	#10
DutchTeenCash I like Dutch Girls Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: dutchteencash.com Posts: 21,684	thats an amazing pic __________________ ICQ 16 91 547 - SKYPE dutchteencash bob AT dutchteencash DOT com ... did you see our newest Sweet Natural Girl Priscilla (18)?

04-13-2006, 12:45 PM	#11
Warning Pages Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 684	nice shooting kid !!!!!!!! __________________ Omar Rodriguez - [email protected] - ICQ 242621053 WarningPages Borrow Money from DigiPawn

04-13-2006, 11:17 AM	#2
InsaneMidget Confirmed User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,767	It'll be a fun day when that dislodges and comes down on the maid of the mist.

04-13-2006, 11:39 AM	#5
SilentKnight Megan Fox's fluffer Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: shooting pool in Elysium Posts: 24,818	Another shot taken the other day down by the Falls...

04-13-2006, 12:38 PM	#9
Manowar jellyfish Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 71,528	damn that looks awesome

04-13-2006, 12:46 PM	#12
Bryan G Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 8,338	Sweet pics! __________________ Bryan skype: bryan.glass3 \| ICQ 302999591

04-13-2006, 12:51 PM	#13
Kevsh Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: TO Posts: 8,619	Great story, I never heard about that and I've been to the Falls a few times. Sideline: If FEMA had been in charge, they'd still be there today ...

04-13-2006, 12:59 PM	#14
calibra Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 4,357	That was really interesting to read. And the pics are great. Thanx for sharing! __________________ GetCyberCash.com

04-13-2006, 01:23 PM	#15
Pipecrew Master of Gfy.com Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 14,887	Anyone go over in a barrell lately? havent heard much

04-13-2006, 01:35 PM	#16
BigBen Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: scv Posts: 2,299	Perhaps I missed something, but couldn't they just have a helicopter lift them out?

04-13-2006, 02:01 PM	#19
Jade^ Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 522	Awesome pic (waterfalls) __________________ Perl/PHP Scripts Galore

04-13-2006, 02:06 PM	#20
tyler. Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,653	interesting story and nice pics

04-13-2006, 03:58 PM	#21
pornguy Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Homeless Posts: 62,911	Great photos as usual. __________________ PornGuy skype me pornguy_epic AmateurDough The Hottes Shemales online! TChicks.com \| Angeles Cid \| Mariana Cordoba \| MAILERS WELCOME!

04-13-2006, 04:52 PM	#22
Hollywood Horwitz Porn To ROCK! Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,357	interesting story! thnx for sharing! __________________ Ross Horwitz Skype: RossAngeles666 Online Ad Sales / Email / Display Ads / Mobile Cell.323.949.4313 [email protected]

04-13-2006, 05:14 PM	#23
SilentKnight Megan Fox's fluffer Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: shooting pool in Elysium Posts: 24,818	Arghh....dupe post. Last edited by SilentKnight; 04-13-2006 at 05:15 PM.. Reason: duplicate post

04-13-2006, 10:45 PM	#26
Vitasoy GFY HALL OF FAME DAMMIT!!! Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 58,202	Damn.. but you take awesome pics __________________ [email protected]

04-13-2006, 11:15 PM	#28
czarina Webmaster Extraordinaire Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: A beautiful beach... Posts: 10,748	Those are great photos. I wish I could shoot like that.,

04-14-2006, 05:11 AM	#29
gecko ****** Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 21,846	The water fall one rocks __________________ [email protected]

04-14-2006, 06:09 AM	#32
Quagmire Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Stinkin' up your bathroom Posts: 6,490	I love going to the edge of the falls and watching the water go over. Its so clear and shallow you can see the rocks right at the edge of the falls. __________________