A barge which has been stuck in the rapids above Niagara Falls for more than 100 years has been moved by a Halloween storm.
The boat, which grounded in shallows on the Canadian side in 1918, briefly broke loose as the river above the falls was battered by high winds and rain on Thursday, the Niagara Parks Commission said.
The rusty iron scow moved about 50m (164ft) downstream before becoming lodged again, according to the Washington Post.
The boat was dislodged by high winds and rain last week. Pic: Niagara Parks
Jim Hill, the commission’s senior heritage manager, said the barge, while not currently moving, appears to have “flipped on its side and spun around”.
Officials are monitoring the vessel and said it could be stuck in its new location for days or years.
The rusty iron boat had been stuck since 1918 on rocks in the upper rapids. Pic: Niagara Parks
The vessel, known as a dumping scow, broke free of the tug towing it during a dredging operation.
The barge moved about 164 feet downstream before becoming stuck again. Pic: Niagara Parks
It became lodged on rocks about a third of a mile from the brink of Horseshoe Falls, one of three separate waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls.
The two men on board had the presence of mind to open its bottom doors, flooding the vessel and slowing its progress towards the drop.
The men were rescued the following day.
