Daredevils

The Niagara Falls being a site of extreme water flow has attracted dozens of adventure-hunters over the decades. These courageous people are better known as the ‘Daredevils’ of the Niagara Falls. Sam Patch (aka “the Yankee Leapster”) jumped from a high tower down to the gorge of the falls in 1829. Fortunately, he survived and this inspired many others to try their fate and take the risk.

In 1901, Annie Edson Taylor made the jump over the falls in a barrel. She was the first to do so in a barrel and is remembered for quoting “no one should ever try that again.” She escaped with minor bruises. Despite the warning, many others made the attempt to challenge The Falls with their individual preferred devices and methods.

Daredevils include E. Jackson who swam the Niagara River from Goat Island to the Horseshoe Falls. Jean Francois Gravelot aka “The Great Blondin” (a funambulist). crossed the Niagara River Gorge on a tightrope, in 1859. In 1861, Captain Joel Robinson navigated through the dangerous whirlpool on the Maid of the Mist. In 1878, Captain J.D. Rhodes jumped from a platform below Prospect Point, and survived. Other famous daredevils include Jean Lussier, George Strathakis, David Munday, Charles Stephens, Kirk Raymond Jones, Robert Overacker, Oscar Williams, Martha Wagenfurher, Karel Soucek, Jim Sarten, Don Deedon, Raymond Weaver, etc.