The first ever attempt at shooting the rapids happened not for fame and glory but for economic reasons. In 1861, due to financial difficulties and the impending American Civil War, the second Maid of the Mist was sold at auction with the conditions of sale being that the vessel had to be delivered downstream at Queenston.

In order to do so the Maid of the Mist would have to be navigated through the Great Gorge Rapids, the Whirlpool and the Lower Rapids. These were some of the most treacherous rapids on earth and the thought was terrifying!

For $500.00 Cpt. Joel Robinson agreed to take the Maid of the Mist through the rapids. On June 6th, 1861, the captain, accompanied by an engineer, cast off from the Maid of the Mist dock and headed out into the ferocious rapids. Within minutes they were beyond the point of no return.

The beleaguered boat tossed to and fro in the water, often disappearing from sight, only to reappear again. The boat was carried at apr. 40 mph through the rock strewn rapids until they eventually ended up in the Whirlpool.

Here Captain Robinson was able to regain control of his vessel. With great difficulty the Maid of the Mist broke free of the Whirlpool and headed straight back into the rapids. The last three miles of the Whirlpool and rapids saw the boat lose its smoke stack.

Eventually the tiny craft made its way to the calm waters around Queenston. Captain Robinson had accomplished what no man had ever done before….he had sailed a boat from Niagara Falls to Queenston, a feat that has never again been duplicated.