Whats the story behind that boat/ barge that seems to be stuck above niagra falls? how long has it been there?

Question

and do they think it will ever break free and float away and over the falls?

Answer 1

On August 6th 1918, Gustave Luffberg and Frank Harris were dredging up sand banks from the Niagara River upstream of Niagara Falls, when tugboat captain John Wallace brought the Hassayampa(the boat were taking about here) over to bring the boat  to shore but, it broke loose and began floating downriver fast towards the falls.

There are some reports saying that Luffberg and Harris were able to release the false bottom of the scow to dump their load  but still the boat got caught on a rock right at the edge of the falls, leaving the  Falls Power Company employees stranded in the right near the edge gathering speed as they came closer to going over. Some reports say that Luffberg had tied a rope between himself and the boat as a safety meausreif in case he  fell overboard while the boat was still beached, while Harris tied one between himself and a free barrel.

Since a rescue boat was out of the question, the Niagara Falls Fire Department tried using a grappling gun to shoot a life line out towards the barge, from atop the roof of the Toronto Power House while awaiting the arrival of the US Coast Guard from Youngstown to bring a better grappling gun. When the US Coast Guard did come, they managed to send a lifeline over to the barge, and both stuck men made it safely back to shore via breeches buoy, more than 24 hours after they first found themselves drifting towards the falls. The hero of the day was noted riverman William "Red" Hill Sr., who tirelessly ventured out to free the tangled breeches buoy line several times throughout the night, and eventually assisted the men to safety. Hill was awarded the Carnegie Life Saving Medal for his efforts.Incidentalty Red Hill and his son were masters of the Niagara River and Gorge recovering and rescuing hundreds of people over a span of 75 years. His son is featured on some of the shows by the travel channel on Niagara falls.

Right now there is a plaque on the candian side telling this story and the boat is safely up there probbly never to go over the edge. Just think of the guy who was stuck at the edge if he could hold on i think this boat will be there for a long time but eventually i think its gonig to break apart and go over in pieces over time.

Answer 2

I assume you mean the Scow? It will most likely break up into piece over the years, and slowly piece by piece go over the falls. Much as the Subchaser did many years ago (although much slower as the Subchaser was wood, and the Scow is metal).

Here's the story on both of them (The Scow has been there almost 90 years!):

http://www.niagarafrontier.com/scow.html

Answer 3

While the above poster is historically accurate, locals all refer to it as the Barge, which is even what it is called in the Museum. There was a plan about ten years ago to try and release it by helicopter and fly it to shore, but as it is a rusted hulk, it would probably just break up, go over the falls, or get stuck in the control d**n and bye bye interesting story. So they have decided to let it stay put until nature lets it go.