File:Niagara - its history and geology, incidents and poetry (1872) (14773983555).jpg

Identifier: niagaraitshistor00holluoft (find matches)
Title: Niagara : its history and geology, incidents and poetry
Year: 1872 (1870s)
Authors: Holley, George W. (George Washington), 1810-1897
Subjects:
Publisher: New York : Sheldon
Contributing Library: Brock University
Digitizing Sponsor: Brock University

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is body mouldering in an unmarkedgrave—The heroines of Lonestone and Newport, GraceDarling and Ida Lewis. THE history of the navigation of the Rapids of theNiagara may be very appropriately concluded inthis chapter, which is devoted to a notice of the remark-able man who inaugurated it, who had no rival and hasleft no successor in it—Mr. Joel R. Robinson. In the summer of 1838, while some extensive repairswere being made on the main bridge to Goat Island, amechanic named Chapin fell from the lower side of itinto the rapids about ten rods from the Bath Islandshore. The swift current bore him toward the firstsmall island lying below the bridge. Knowing how toswim he made a desperate and successful effort to reachit. It is hardly more than thirty feet square, and iscovered with cedars and hemlocks. Saved from drown-ing he seemed likely to fall a victim to the slow torture ofstarvation. All thoughts were then turned to Robinson,and not in vain. He launched his light red skiff from the
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Joel R. Robinson. 89 foot of Bath Island, picked his way cautiously and skilfullythrough the Rapids to the little island, took Chapin inand brought him safely to the shore, much to the rehefof the spectators, who testified their appreciation ofRobinsons service by a moderate contribution. In the summer of 1841, a Mr. Allen started for Chip-pawa in a boat just before sunset. Being anxious to getacross before dark he plied his oars with such vigor thatone of them was broken when he was about opposite themiddle Sister. With the remaining oar he tried to makethe head of Goat Island. The current, however, set toostrongly towards the great Canadian Rapids, and his onlyhope was to reach the outer Sister. Nearing this and notbeing able to run his boat on to it he sprang out, and,being a good swimmer, by a vigorous effort succeeded ingetting on to it. Certain of having a lonely if not a quietand pleasant night, and being the fortunate possessorof two stray matches, he lighted a fire and solace

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