Niagara Falls’ legendary boat tours have captivated travelers for generations, offering an unforgettable encounter with the raw power and majesty of the Falls. Today, these tours are operated by two iconic companies: Niagara City Cruises on the Canadian side and the Maid of the Mist on the U.S. side. While modern vessels are sleek, eco-friendly, and designed for comfort, the history of navigating these turbulent waters is a story of innovation, resilience, and human ingenuity.
- 1846 – The Maid of the Mist Ferry Service Launched
- Maid of the Mist Boat Tour – 1st Generation (1854-1860)
- Maid of the Mist Boat Tour 2nd Generation: 1885 – 1955
- Maid of the Mist Boat Tour 3rd Generation (1955 – 1990)
- Maid of the Mist Boat Tour 4th Generation (1972 – Now)
- Maid of the Mist III: 1972—1997
- Maid of the Mist IV: 1976–2013
- Maid of the Mist V: 1983–2013
- Maid of the Mist VI: 1990–2020
- New York State Governor Saves the Maid in Late 2012
- Maid of the Mist Boat Tour 5th Generation (Launched 2019)
- Niagara City Cruises (Formery Hornblower): Launched in 2014
Continue reading to review the timeline of the original Maid of the Mist boat tour (North America’s oldest tourist attraction), progressing to our current date which includes the addition of the Niagara City Cruises (Hornblower) boat tours.
1846 – The Maid of the Mist Ferry Service Launched
Crossing the Niagara River in order to transport people was unheard of until the introduction of small boats in 1834. On May 27th, 1846, the very first Maid of the Mist boat was first introduced, but not as a tourist attraction.
It ferried people, cargo, and mail across the river for a small fee. However, making money in this regard was short-lived after the first Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge was completed.
1848 saw a temporary bridge introduced, and in 1854 a lower deck was opened for pedestrian and carriage purposes. Taking money away from the ferry, it was decided to turn the Maid of the Mist into a tourist attraction, allowing people to get as close to the Falls as possible.
Maid of the Mist Boat Tour – 1st Generation (1854-1860)
Maid of the Mist
On July 14th, 1854, a new Maid of the Mist was launched. This one was 72 feet long and featured a paddle boat engine rather than a sidewheel steam engine.
This redesigned vessel represented a notable shift in engineering and efficiency, better suited to the challenging currents of the Niagara River. Its streamlined construction and updated propulsion system allowed for improved handling, reflecting a growing understanding of the river’s powerful and unpredictable conditions. At the time, the Maid of the Mist continued to operate primarily as a ferry, transporting passengers, goods, and mail across the border.
Despite these improvements, the broader economic and political climate soon posed serious challenges. As tensions escalated into the American Civil War (1861–1865), cross-border traffic declined sharply, reducing the demand for ferry service. This downturn underscored how dependent the operation was on regional stability and commerce, ultimately setting the stage for the vessel’s sale and dramatic final journey out of Niagara.
With business dwindling mainly as the result of the onslaught of the American Civil War (1861-1865), the boat was sold at a public auction to a Montreal firm in 1861.
However, the boat had to be successfully delivered to Lake Ontario, which meant it had to be navigated through the Great Gorge Rapids, the Whirlpool, and the Lower Rapids.
Captain Robinson undertook the frightening task on June 6th, 1861, and successfully made it through the rapids (although lost the smoke stack in the process).
Service was not restored until 1885 under a new partnership: The Maid of the Mist Steamboat Company..
Maid of the Mist Boat Tour 2nd Generation: 1885 – 1955
Maid of the Mist I
The second generation Maid of the Mist was launched in June of 1885 which reached closer to the Horseshoe Falls than its previous counterparts.
This new vessel marked a turning point for Niagara’s tourism industry, as advancements in steam-powered navigation and hull design allowed for a safer yet more thrilling visitor experience.
Purpose-built for sightseeing rather than transport, it reflected a growing demand from travelers eager to experience the power and scale of the Falls up close.
As infrastructure improved on both the Canadian and American sides, the attraction became firmly established as a must-do excursion, helping to define Niagara Falls as one of North America’s premier natural destinations well into the early 20th century.
Maid of the Mist II
Then, an additional boat (Maid of the Mist II) was unveiled in 1892 on the American side, expanding the fleet’s capacity and reinforcing the growing popularity of Niagara Falls as a must-see destination. These
vessels were designed to handle increasing visitor demand, offering improved stability and closer approaches to the base of the Falls, which heightened the thrill and immersive nature of the experience.
These boats sailed until April 22, 1955, when they were destroyed by a fire in an accident on the Canadian side. The loss marked the end of an era for this generation of vessels, prompting a transition to more modern, steel-hulled boats with enhanced safety features.
This pivotal moment ultimately led to the evolution of the iconic tour into a more resilient and technologically advanced operation, ensuring its continued legacy at Niagara Falls.
Maid of the Mist Boat Tour 3rd Generation (1955 – 1990)
Maid of the Mist I
On July 28th, 1955, a third generation Maid of the Mist I (1955—1990) was introduced to replace the destroyed vessels — this time, it was made of steel and powered by diesel engines.
This generation of boats marked a significant leap in both safety and passenger capacity. The steel hulls were far more resilient than the wooden predecessors, and the diesel engines provided greater reliability and power, allowing the vessels to navigate closer to the base of the Horseshoe Falls with improved maneuverability.
The Maid of the Mist I became a major draw for tourists, accommodating hundreds of passengers at a time, and it solidified the boat tour’s reputation as a must-experience attraction at Niagara Falls.
Maid of the Mist II
In June 1956, an additional Maid of the Mist steel boat was added to the fleet and was christened the Maid of the Mist II (1956 – 1983). This vessel featured updated safety equipment and a more spacious passenger deck, allowing it to accommodate larger crowds while providing improved viewing of the Horseshoe Falls.
Its diesel engines offered more reliable and efficient power than the earlier steam-powered vessels, making it easier to navigate the turbulent waters near the falls.
Over the decades, the Maid of the Mist II became a staple of Niagara Falls tourism, renowned for its steady performance and ability to bring visitors safely close to the roaring falls. Its design also included reinforced hulls and modernized boarding ramps, which helped streamline operations and reduce delays during peak tourist seasons, cementing its reputation as both a reliable workhorse and an iconic experience for generations of travelers.
Roger Woodward Rescue
On July 9th, 1960, the Maid of the Mist II contributed to the heroic saving of 7-year-old Roger Woodward, the boy who became the first person to survive a plunge over the Horseshoe Falls wearing only a life jacket. The Maid of the Mist II was just making its turn below the Falls when a crew member spotted the boy.
Captain Clifford Keech maneuvered the boat so the crew could successfully rescue Roger, who luckily only sustained a minor concussion and was in the hospital for only three days. The daring rescue captured widespread attention and reinforced the skill and vigilance of the Maid of the Mist crews, who routinely navigated the turbulent waters at the base of the Falls. The incident also highlighted the inherent dangers of the Horseshoe Falls, prompting Niagara authorities to review and improve safety measures along the river’s edge and around the viewing areas.
In 1983, the Maid of the Mist II was sold and went on to serve as a missionary ship on the Amazon River.
Maid of the Mist Boat Tour 4th Generation (1972 – Now)
Maid of the Mist III: 1972—1997
Maid of the Mist III takes to the water, carrying 210 passengers. This boat is a 65-foot-long, 65-ton vessel powered by two 250-horsepower diesel engines.
During its decades of service, Maid of the Mist III became known not just for its sturdy design but for enhancing the passenger experience. The vessel was equipped with improved safety features, including modern life jackets and reinforced railings, allowing guests to safely enjoy a closer approach to the thundering Horseshoe Falls. Its reliability and efficiency also helped expand the boat tour’s popularity, solidifying Maid of the Mist as a must-do Niagara Falls attraction for both tourists and repeat visitors.
Maid of the Mist IV: 1976–2013
Maid of the Mist IV, a 300-passenger boat, is introduced. The new boat is 72 feet long, 24 feet wide, weighs
74 tons, and is powered by two 250-horsepower diesel engines.
With its larger size and increased passenger capacity, Maid of the Mist IV allowed more visitors to experience the falls at once, helping to accommodate the growing influx of tourists to Niagara Falls in the late 20th century. This vessel also incorporated upgraded safety and comfort features, including enhanced seating, improved deck drainage, and better visibility for all passengers.
Maid of the Mist IV became an iconic part of the Niagara Falls experience, known for offering an exhilarating, close-up view of the Horseshoe Falls while maintaining a smooth and reliable ride.
Maid of the Mist V: 1983–2013
Maid of the Mist V gives passengers the thrill of their lives. Constructed entirely of steel, the boat is 72 feet long, weighs 74 tons, and is powered by two 335-horsepower diesel engines to safely carry 300 passengers.
This generation marked a significant evolution in the fleet, combining increased engine power with improved structural design to handle the powerful currents near the Horseshoe Falls. Maid of the Mist V also enhanced the overall passenger experience with sturdier railings, better seating arrangements, and panoramic deck views, allowing tourists to enjoy the falls from a closer, more immersive perspective. Its introduction reinforced the Maid of the Mist’s reputation as one of North America’s most iconic and enduring sightseeing boat tours.
Maid of the Mist VI: 1990–2020
In 1990, the Maid of the Mist VI was launched into service. The 145-tonne, 80-foot, all-steel double-deck boat is capable of carrying 600 passengers at a time, making it the largest vessel in the fleet.
This expansion represented a major milestone in the evolution of the Maid of the Mist tours, accommodating the growing number of tourists visiting Niagara Falls each year. The design emphasized both safety and passenger experience, featuring double decks for optimal viewing, reinforced railings, and more spacious seating. Its sheer size and stability allowed guests to enjoy an up-close encounter with the thundering Horseshoe Falls while remaining secure, reinforcing Maid of the Mist’s reputation as a world-class sightseeing attraction.
The launch of Maid of the Mist VI, followed by VII in 1997, set the standard for modern tour boats and solidified the company’s ability to manage large crowds without sacrificing comfort or the thrill of the experience.
This made it the 10th Maid of the Mist boat to contribute to the Niagara Falls Boat Tours — and the largest, which was decommissioned in 2020. Accompanying boat VI was the addition of the Maid of the Mist VII on July 11th, 1997 (also decomissioned) at 80 feet and with the capacity to carry 600 passengers as well.
New York State Governor Saves the Maid in Late 2012
On December 4th, 2012, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo visited Niagara Falls, New York to make a major announcement: An agreement between Cuomo’s administration and the Maid of the Mist calls for the company to pay for $32 million in upgrades near the site of the former Schoellkopf power plant to turn the area into a winter storage dock for its two-boat American fleet.
On Thursday, October 26th, 2013, the Maid of the Mist did its final boat tour on the Canadian side. The business continues to operate from the US side of the gorge and departs from its dock just beyond the Rainbow Bridge. The Canadian side was replaced by Hornblower Niagara Cruises, a California-based company at the start of Spring of 2014.
Maid of the Mist Boat Tour 5th Generation (Launched 2019)
New-build emission-free vessels was launched during 2019 season
In 2019, the Maid of the Mist launched the first two new all-electric, zero-emission passenger vessels constructed in the United States. The new catamaran-style vessels will provide more than 1.6 million guests from around the world with an up-close, iconic view of Niagara Falls. The vessels feature a wide stance, resulting in a smooth, quiet ride, allowing them to better enjoy the roar and majesty of Niagara Falls.
ABB, a pioneering technology leader in digital industries, will supply a comprehensive integrated power and propulsion solution for the newbuild vessels, including lithium-ion battery packs and an onshore charging system, enabling sustainable operation with maximum reliability.
Powered by ABB’s zero-emission technology, the two fully-electric vessels will take tourists to the heart of the Niagara Falls, undisturbed by engine noise or exhaust fumes. Batteries will be recharged for seven minutes after each trip to 80 percent capacity, allowing for maximum efficiency and battery life.
Maid of the Mist VI (1990) and Maid of the Mist VII (1997), were removed from service when the new vessels began operating.
Niagara City Cruises (Formery Hornblower): Launched in 2014
Niagara City Cruises (Hornblower) offers two catamarans that carry approximately 700 people, and a third charter boat reserved specifically for private functions that carries approximately 150 passengers.
The Niagara City Cruises official ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Wednesday, May 14th, 2014 which showcased speeches by the Niagara City Cruises (Hornblower) CEO, Terry MacRae, Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, Mory DiMaurizo, General Manager of Niagara Cruises and the Niagara Parks Commission chair, Janice Thomson. It officially opened the following day to excited crowds.
Wearing their red ponchos, locals and tourists alike flocked the Niagara City Cruise Plaza to become a part of history on its grand opening day. The distinct differentiation between the Niagara City Cruises and the Maid of the Mist docked on the US side, is the swarm of customers wearing red (Niagara City Cruises) and blue (Maid of the Mist) ponchos. Both these Niagara Falls boat tours are anticipating another exciting season. This past Winter season saw far less ice form on Lake Erie, which flows into the Niagara River. With the Niagara City Cruises (Hornblower) running and Maid of the Mist soon to launch in April.
This is the 12th season for Niagara City Cruises (Hornblower), and — wait for it — the 180th year for Maid of the Mist.