Maid of the Mist

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Maid of the Mist

The Maid of the Mist is a boat tour of Niagara Falls. (The actual boats used are each named Maid of the Mist, followed by a different Roman numeral in each case.) The boat starts off at a calm part of the Niagara River, near the Rainbow Bridge, and takes its passengers past the American and Bridal Veil Falls, then into the dense mist of spray inside the curve of the Horseshoe Falls. The tour is available starting from either the Canadian or U.S. side of the river, returning to the starting point in each case.

All passengers wear a blue Maid of the Mist poncho.

1 History
2 Distinguished Passengers
3 Fleet
4 In movies
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] History

The first Maid of the Mist was launched in 1846, but the focus on tourists did not begin until 1854 and continues to be a draw for tourists wanting to be close to the Falls.

The Maid of the Mist is the longest-running tourist attraction in North America.^{[citation needed]}

Between 1894 and 1990, passengers embarking and disembarking at the Canadian side used the Maid of the Mist Incline, a funicular railway, to travel between street level and the boat dock.

[edit] Distinguished Passengers

1860, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII)
1901, Theodore Roosevelt (later the 26th President of the United States)
1949, Jawaharlal Nehru (Prime Minister of India)
1952, Marilyn Monroe (American actress)
1996, Princess Diana, Prince William, and Prince Harry

[edit] Fleet

Maid of the Mist at the American Falls

Maid of the Mist Boat Tours building

Maid of the Mist on the Canadian side

Maid of the Mist in front of the American Falls

Maid of the Mist in front of the Canadian Falls

Maid of the Mist approaching the Canadian Falls

Maid of the Mist I

Years of Service: 1846-1854
Type: double-stack steamboat ferry
Engine: 1 sidewheel steam

Maid of the Mist I

Years of Service: 1854-1860
Length: 72 ft
Type: single-stack steamer
Engine: paddle boat

Maid of the Mist I

Years of Service: 1885-1955
Type: steam boat
Engine: N/A

Maid of the Mist II

Years of Service: 1892-1955
Type: white oak steam boat
Length: 89 ft
Engine: 2 engine steam

Maid of the Mist I

Years of Service: 1955-1990
Length: 66 ft
Engine: 200 hp diesel engines
Passengers: 101

Maid of the Mist II

Years of Service: 1956-1983
Type: all-steel boat, twin of I
Engine: 200 hp diesel engines
Passengers: 101

Maid of the Mist III

Years of Service: 1972-1997
Length: 65 ft
Weight: 65 tons
Engine: single 250 hp diesel
Passengers: 210

Maid of the Mist IV

Years of Service: 1976-present
Length: 72 ft
Weight: 74 tons
Engine: two 250 hp diesel
Passengers: 300

Maid of the Mist V

Years of Service: 1983-present
Length: 72 ft
Weight: 74 tons
Engine: two 355 hp diesel
Passengers: 300

Maid of the Mist VI

Years of Service: 1990-present
Length: 80 ft
Weight: 145 tons
Engine: two 350 hp diesel
Passengers: 600

Maid of the Mist VII

Years of Service: 1997-present; twin of VI
Length: 80 ft
Weight: 145 tons
Engine: two 350 hp diesel
Passengers: 600

Mini Maid

A small tug-like vessel found at the docks on the Canadian side

[edit] In movies

In the Jim Carrey movie Bruce Almighty, Jim's character Bruce Nolan flips out during a report from the Maid of the Mist.
In the Christopher Reeve film Superman II, the Maid of the Mist is seen when Superman rescues a boy who fell into Niagara Falls.