Maid of the Mist facts for kids
The Maid of the Mist is a famous boat tour at Niagara Falls. It starts and ends on the American side, but it briefly crosses into Canada during the trip. The boats are named James V. Glynn and Nikola Tesla. James V. Glynn is the chairman of Maid of the Mist. Nikola Tesla was a brilliant inventor. He created the alternating current (AC) motor. This type of electricity is still used in homes today. Tesla's invention helped build the power plant at Niagara Falls.
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Electric Boats at Niagara Falls
On October 6, 2020, the Maid of the Mist company launched something special. They introduced the first two all-electric, zero-emission passenger boats in the United States! These new boats are called James V. Glynn and Nikola Tesla. They offer a smoother, quieter, and more environmentally friendly ride. Visitors from all over the world can now enjoy the falls in a greener way.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said these new boats protect the waterways. She also mentioned how important it is to care for Niagara Falls for future generations.
Christopher M. Glynn, the president of Maid of the Mist, shared his excitement. He said guests will be amazed by the sounds of nature. They will hear the roar of the falls without engine noise.
The idea for these electric boats came from Norway. There, the world's first all-electric ferry, the Ampere, showed what was possible. Maid of the Mist leaders were excited to bring this new technology to the United States.
In 2021, the new electric Maid of the Mist boats won "Boat of the Year" awards. They received this honor from American Ship Review and Marine News magazines. This was a big achievement for being the first of their kind in the U.S.
Famous Passengers
Many famous people have ridden the Maid of the Mist.
- In 1860, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VII) took the tour.
- In June 1952, actress Marilyn Monroe rode the boat while filming the movie Niagara.
- Former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev was a passenger in 1983.
- In 1991, Princess Diana and her sons, Princes William and Harry, enjoyed the ride.
History of the Maid of the Mist
The First Boats (1846-1860)
The Maid of the Mist started in 1846. At first, it was a steamboat ferry. It carried people, luggage, and even horse-drawn carriages across the Niagara River. People quickly realized how amazing the scenery was. So, in 1848, the ferry changed its purpose. It became a sightseeing tour, taking people close to the mighty falls. This is how the tours continue today! A second Maid of the Mist boat was built in 1854.
Captain Robinson's Daring Journey (1861)
In 1861, the second Maid of the Mist boat was sold. It needed to be delivered to Lake Ontario. The only way was through the dangerous Whirlpool and Devil’s Hole Rapids. Many captains were too scared to try. But Captain Joel B. Robinson, the Maid of the Mist's own captain, was brave enough. He was known for his skill on the Niagara River.
On June 6, 1861, thousands of people watched. Captain Robinson, with two crew members, started the journey. The boat shot into the rapids. Huge waves crashed over it. The smokestack was ripped off, and Robinson was thrown down. For a moment, the boat disappeared. But then, it broke free! Robinson quickly steered it through the Whirlpool and Devil’s Hole Rapids.
Just 17 minutes after starting, the boat arrived safely. It was the first and last time a boat made that journey. Robinson's wife said he looked 20 years older that day! He never went on the Niagara River again. Newspapers called his trip one of the most amazing ever.
Return of the Maid (1885-1955)
After Captain Robinson's trip, there was no Maid of the Mist for a while. But in 1885, a new boat was launched. It was also called Maid of the Mist. This boat went closer to the Horseshoe Falls than any before. It was so popular that a sister ship was built in 1892. These two boats, often called Maid of the Mist and Maid of the Mist No. 2, carried millions of tourists.
In 1938, a huge ice jam threatened the boats. They were stuck in ice almost as high as their decks. But they survived!
Fire and New Boats (1955-1956)
Sadly, on April 22, 1955, a spark from a welder's torch caused a fire. Both Maid of the Mist boats burned. They were too damaged to save. The company quickly launched a small yacht called The Little Maid to keep tours going.
Later that year, and in 1956, new steel boats were launched. They were named Maid of the Mist I and Maid of the Mist II. These boats were made of strong steel and had powerful diesel engines.
A Boy's Amazing Survival (1960)
On July 9, 1960, the Maid of the Mist II made a heroic rescue. A small boat got into trouble in the upper Niagara River. A man and two children fell into the water. The man went over the Horseshoe Falls and did not survive.
But young Roger Woodward, protected only by a life jacket, also went over the falls! The Maid of the Mist II, with Captain Clifford Keech, was right below. Captain Keech quickly steered the boat towards the boy. After a few tries, he threw a life ring that reached Roger. In seconds, Roger was safely on board!
Roger Woodward became famous as the first person to survive a trip over the falls with only a life jacket. Others who survived had used special barrels.
New Boats and Family Tradition (1970s-Present)
In 1971, James V. Glynn became president of the company. He had started working there at age 16.
New Maid of the Mist boats were launched in the 1970s and beyond. Maid of the Mist III (1972), Maid of the Mist IV (1976), and Maid of the Mist V (1983) were all very large. They were built elsewhere and then carefully lowered into the gorge by giant cranes. This was a very difficult and amazing process to watch!
In 1996, the Maid of the Mist celebrated 150 years of tours. It was a big celebration with special events and visitors.
Since 1972, every new Maid of the Mist boat has been christened by a member of the Glynn family. This tradition continued on July 31, 2020. James V. Glynn's granddaughters christened the new all-electric boats, James V. Glynn and Nikola Tesla.
The Maid of the Mist Fleet
Here are some of the boats that have been part of the Maid of the Mist family:
- First Maid of the Mist
- Years of service: 1846–1854
- Type: Steamboat ferry
- Second Maid of the Mist
- Years of service: 1854–1860
- Length: 72 feet (22 m)
- Type: Steamer
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- Third Maid of the Mist
- Years of service: 1885–1955
- Type: Steamboat
- Fourth Maid of the Mist
- Years of service: 1892–1955
- Length: 89 feet (27 m)
- Type: Steamboat
- Maid of the Mist I
- Years of service: 1955–1990
- Length: 66 feet (20 m)
- Passengers: 101
- Maid of the Mist II
- Years of service: 1956–1983
- Type: All-steel boat, twin of I
- Passengers: 101
- Maid of the Mist III
- Years of service: 1972–1997
- Length: 65 feet (20 m)
- Passengers: 210
- Maid of the Mist IV
- Years of service: 1976–2013
- Length: 72 feet (22 m)
- Passengers: 300
- Maid of the Mist V
- Years of service: 1983–2013
- Length: 72 feet (22 m)
- Passengers: 300
- Maid of the Mist VI
- Years of service: 1990–2019
- Length: 74 feet (23 m)
- Passengers: 600
- Maid of the Mist VII
- Years of service: 1997–2020
- Length: 80 feet (24 m)
- Passengers: 600
- James V. Glynn
- Years of service: 2020–present
- Length: 90 feet (27 m)
- Propulsion System: All-electric motor with lithium-ion batteries
- Passengers: 600
- Nikola Tesla
- Years of service: 2020–present
- Length: 90 feet (27 m)
- Propulsion System: All-electric motor with lithium-ion batteries
- Passengers: 600
- Little Maid
- A small tug-like boat found at the docks.
See also
In Spanish: Maid of the Mist para niños
