The Maid of the Mist

By Martine Mackenzie

It used to be that a visit to Niagara Falls, Canada always included a trip on the world-famous boat, The Maid of the Mist. What an exhilarating experience for people of all ages! Over the years, The Maid, as it is affectionally known, played host to Hollywood stars, political dignitaries, famous musicians, and even British royalty. The Maid also played a significant role in the rescue of young Roger Woodward after he accidentally went over the mighty Horseshoe Falls in July of 1960, by picking up the young lad as he bobbed in the lower river. Featured prominently in television shows and movies, The Maid is still the biggest draw that Niagara has to offer.

However, in the changing times and changing political climate, The Maid of the Mist lost its long-held place in the Niagara Falls, Canada tourism business.

BUT, that doesn’t mean that people still can’t take that phenomenal ride.

Just a quick walk over the Rainbow Bridge will find you at Niagara State Park. From here, an elevator ride down the Observation Tower at Prospect Point leads you to history –The Maid of the Mist.

The original Maid of the Mist was built at a landing near Niagara Falls on the American side of the border. The boat was christened in 1846 as a border-crossing ferry with its first trip on September 18, 1846.

Named after the Iroquois myth of Princess Lelewala, today’s Maid of the Mist has grown by leaps and bounds from the barge-like steamer of the 19th century.

Let’s take the trip to see how The Maid got to where she is now!

Local Niagara Falls, NY boy, James V. Glynn was bussing tables in a restaurant in the city as a young teenager. The owner of The Maid was a regular customer, and according to Jimmy’s son, Christopher M. Glynn, President of the Maid of the Mist, “My father pestered the owner for a job and because he was such a good worker at the restaurant the owner hired him on as a ticket seller when he was just 15 years old in 1950.”

Jimmy Glynn worked his way up the ladder at The Maid and in 1971, the opportunity was presented for him to buy the corporation, an opportunity of a lifetime, to which he jumped, becoming President, Chairman and CEO of the company.

The Maid of the Mist is a true family operation with Jimmy’s only son, Chris, now at the helm. “My four sisters and I all worked at The Maid in some capacity growing up, from the grassroots level down on the boat dock, to working in the head offices at Buffalo Avenue,” adds Chris.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Niagara University, Chris continued to work in the family business, taking over the position of President 15 years ago.

Under Chris’s leadership, The Maid of the Mist has transitioned into an entirely different entity. “Obviously, every season is a start-up,” says Chris, “but coming out of the pandemic pointed out just how seasonal a business this is.”

Chris goes on to say, “Before the pandemic, we had plans to replace the fleet and go electric. Niagara is the largest supplier of hydroelectric power in the world, so it made sense to pursue electrical boats as an alternative.

We had many discussions regarding the requirements and restrictions with the best professionals available – navy architects and propulsion experts. This was the only system that was pursued.”

In 2020, the ‘James V. Glynn,’ named in honor of The Maid of the Mist Company’s Chairman and CEO was launched, in time to celebrate Jimmy’s 70-year anniversary with the company. Alongside, the James V. Glynn, was launched the ‘Nikola Tesla,’ named for the man who developed a type of alternating current motor.

Before the current two boats, all prior ships had been named Maid of the Mist, dating back to 1846. The first ships were steam-powered; these were replaced by dieselpowered vessels from 1955 until 2019, and later replaced with the current two boats powered by lithium-ion batterypowered electric motors.

These environmentally-conscious ships have only increased the efficiency of the legendary voyage up to the basin of the Falls. “The duration of the trip hasn’t changed,” asserts Chris. “The boats charge to 80% in the 7 minutes between boarding times to go back out for the 20-minute voyage.”

With a capacity of 600 passengers for each boat, one might think that they don’t get as close to the Falls as the smaller versions of days gone by – untrue!

“As big as they are, they still get as close to the Falls as ever,” says Chris. “We bob around in the basin and even do a dip salute to the mighty cataracts as we turn to head back to the dock. These boats are extremely maneuverable.” So much has gone into the transformation of The Maid of the Mist. It was quite an undertaking getting these beautiful ships built. “Assembly of the boats was a task, as everything was brought down to the river’s edge by crane to be assembled by the water – millions of pounds of counterweight,” says Chris.

The James V. Glynn and the Nikola Tesla are zero-emission vessels which transport visitors to and from the majesty of the Falls. “Our boats operate nearly silently with minimal vibration. It’s a sailing experience with no noise of diesel. The first time I went out, I could hear the birds,” says Chris. With a propulsion split between two distinct hulls, the boats are constructed from 5086 H116 marine-grade, corrosionresistant aluminum alloy and operate exclusively from the onboard energy.

The unique ‘Azimuthing “L Drive” Thrusters are responsible for the innovation of these two boats as they replace a group of equipment, including the main engine, the reduction gear, the main propeller shaft, the main propeller and the steering system.

“This intricate system with the electric motor housed inside the ship with few vulnerable components underwater, eliminates the need for the vessels to have a rudder. They can rotate thrusters 360 degrees, allowing for excellent maneuverability in navigation,” Chris says.

As President, Chris oversees a staff which reaches 170 every season. He works hand in hand with tour companies both local and international. “Oversight is my job,” he says. “We are a successful corporation that has an excellent group of people working within it. You’re never really ‘off-work’ in a close family business.” He laughs, “No light switches turn off until you retire.”

Chris Glynn is a hands-on manager – a typical day could have him at the boat dock, in the office, travelling to promote the business – or just looking at things to make The Maid the best it can be. You might even see him in the wheelhouse as he does like to go for rides. “It’s definitely not a desk job!”

Chris expressed tremendous gratitude to NY State Parks. “We work very closely with the agency and we have a great working relationship. They are a fine team and we are so thankful for their support.”

Chris did indeed have the best teachers – “I learned from my dad and his senior management team. It was all very hands-on. Things are going well and we hope for a great season!”

There is something to be said about the preservation of tradition and the support of locally owned and operated businesses – in this fast-changing society, we seem to have lost sight of the two.

But, have no fear. Just grab your passports, and walk or drive over the Rainbow Bridge to experience the tradition of “The Maid of the Mist.” You won’t be disappointed.

By Sarah Maloney

Crystal Beach, Ontario, once home to the renowned Crystal Beach Amusement Park is a fun, eclectic village conveniently located less than 90 minutes from Toronto, 25 minutes from Niagara Falls, and 15 minutes from Buffalo, NY. The area boasts a growing number of restaurants and bars. There are shops and amenities all within a short distance, including a world-class public white sand beach which is less than 400 meters away with over $3 million in recent upgrades.

Crystal Beach is next door to the charming and historic Village of Ridgeway, which also offers many restaurants, shops, services, and even a brewery! In addition to the world-famous Niagara Falls but a short distance away, the Niagara Region is home to countless wineries, breweries, and exciting things to do.

So, with all of this within such proximity, why would anyone want to stay anywhere else than the unique Hotel Philco while visiting the area?

This inimitable family-owned boutique hotel is located in the lakeside community of Crystal Beach on the sunny shores of Lake Erie in the historic Derby Square building.

Initially built in 1907 and taking up a whole block directly across from the former Crystal Beach Amusement Park, Derby Square has been lovingly renovated over the last few years by Crystal Beach resident, Phil Smith into a mixture of artisan shops and services, apartments and of course Hotel Philco!