“Indian legend tells of Lelawala, a beautiful maid betrothed by her father to a brave she despised. Rather than marry, Lelawala chose to sacrifice herself to her true love, He-No, the Thunder God, who dwelled in a cave behind the Horseshoe Falls. She paddled the canoe into the swift current of the Niagara River and was swept over the brink. He-No caught her as she plummeted and together their spirits are said to live forever in the Thunder God's sanctuary behind the Falls."- The Magic of Niagara, by George Bailey
The Maid of the Mist boat got her name from this legend. The first Maid of the Mist started navigating the lower Niagara River on May 27, 1846. She was replaced by a second, bigger Maid started on July 14, 1854. It was then sold to a Canadian, who sailed her down the rapids to Queenston, Ontario on June 6, 1861. The 3rd Maid started operations in June of 1885. The 4th Maid of the Mist was made for the American side of Niagara Falls in 1892. But, on April 22, Both Maids burned. They were then replaced by steel boats. The First one was Christened The Maid of the Mist I on July 25, 1955. Next was the Maid of the Mist II in June of 1956. This was the boat that picked up Roger Woodward, after his trip over Niagara Falls. She was sold in 1983 and is still used to transport missionaries on the Amazon River. In 1972, the Maid of the Mist III started, and in 1976, the Maid of the Mist IV started. On June 6, 1983, Maid of the Mist V started. Then, in 1990, the largest Maid of the Mist ,VI, opened. The last 4 are still running.
Both of our tours, Toronto to Niagara Tours and Fall for Niagara include the Maid of the Mist.
You can also visit the Maid of the Mist's website at www.maidofthemist.com to find out more information about them.
