Tragedy at Niagara Falls.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 8 May 1914, Page 8

Tragedy at Niagara Falls.

In the presence bf a hundred spectators, and amid the roar of the wau'rs plunging over the Niagara Falls (says the New York correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph," oa June 23), two little American boys, Hubert Moore, 11 years and Donald lioscoe, 9 years, were carried to death in the rapids. The boys ventured a few yards from shore in a small flat-bottomed scow half a mile above the rapids. The rope holding the boat broke, and they were carried out into the full flood of the rushing water, eddying and swirling around the low-lying, sharp-cut, dangerous rocks, and so down the stream to their certain death. Never at any time was there a chance to save the boys. Two companies, of firemen were called out to aid, but could do nothing. The hundreds who had gathered at the water's edge called out words of encouragement, but could offer no aid. Men became hysterical in their powerlessness, and women prayed at the plight of the lads, who were standing in the boat, and calling for ,help. Caught in a swift-drift, the

boat went racing under the cantilever bridge. Whatever hope the boys had of rescue now was lost. They knew that the fight was now all their own. As they passed under, the bridge they ceased their calls for help. The two mites turned towards each other and embraced, and then with the boat in tumbling waters threw themselves on the seats of the scow and clung with all their strength. Powerless spectators harried down-stream and watched the progress of the boat. The craft held right until it came to a big- wave, which crested at a height of 40ft. It seemed to dive into the very middle of the wave, and when it came again into view it was bobbing on the wave below for a moment, and then it was seen no more. The bodies of the boys are in the whirlpool, and may never be found. The boys were members of well-known families. They had been chums for several years—all their lives, practically. They had been warned of the terrible peril of playing with boats at the edge of the rapids.