Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Maid of the Mist
- Type: Wooden sightseeing steamboats
- Year Built: 1885–1892
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Canadian Maid dock, Niagara River below Horseshoe Falls
- Official Number: Not applicable (multiple vessels, company-owned)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled steamboat ferries for Niagara Falls sightseeing.
Description
The Maid of the Mist consisted of two wooden sightseeing steamboats, one launched in 1885 and the other in 1892. These vessels were designed to provide tourists with a close-up view of the iconic Niagara Falls.
History
The Maid of the Mist boats were built between 1885 and 1892, serving as popular ferries for sightseeing at Niagara Falls. They were part of a fleet that offered unique experiences to visitors, allowing them to navigate the waters near the falls.
Significant Incidents
- Date: 22 April 1955
- Cause: A spark from a welder’s torch ignited the wooden hulls, rapidly destroying both the 1885 and 1892 sister ships.
Final Disposition
The vessels were gutted beyond repair and subsequently scrapped for timber. Souvenirs known as ‘wooden nickels’ were later made from the salvaged wood.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil return. The boats were dismantled immediately after the fire; no remains exist in the water or riverbed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”maid-of-the-mist” title=”References & Links”]
The wooden Maid of the Mist boats were destroyed by fire on 22 April 1955 due to a welding spark. Their loss led to a complete modernization of the fleet, with all subsequent vessels constructed from steel.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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