107-year-old iron scow in Niagara River splits, moves downstream

The Iron Scow, a 107-year-old shipwreck that was lodged above Niagara Falls, has broken loose and moved downstream.

Eyewitnesses say the scow’s bow had broken loose and began shifting away from its resting spot, at around 600 metres away from Horseshoe Falls.

The dumping scow originally broke loose from a towing tug and got lodged in the rapids of the upper Niagara River on Aug. 6, 1918.

William “Red” Hill Sr., working with Niagara Parks police, local firefighters, police and the U.S. Coast Guard, helped in the rescue of the scow’s stranded passengers and was awarded a Carnegie Life Saving Medal.

Niagara Parks says severe weather conditions since late 2019 had caused the scow to shift, with high winds tilting the wreckage until breaking loose this week.

Niagara Parks posted on X at around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, with pictures comparing the wreck in 2018 and 2025.

History is in the making today as the Iron Scow, a 107-year-old ship wreck lodged above Niagara Falls, has shifted downstream.

Today, the scow’s bow has broken loose, shifting even further away from its original resting spot.

🔗https://t.co/MzL2ARuvBo pic.twitter.com/DXzCjludyy

— Niagara Parks (@NiagaraParks) November 19, 2025

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