Capt. R. F. Carter

Capt. R. F. Carter, the skipper who skilfully dares the turbulence of the Niagara vortex for the benefit of venturesome tourists in the steamer Maid of the Mist, was born in Kingstone, County of Surrey, England in 1850. He was brought to Canada at an early age by his parents, who settled in Toronto, and here at the John Street School he was educated. First he learned the trade of steamfitting, and later took to the water sailing in the propeller Argyle of St. Catharines. He was also on the steamer Scotia, and in the steamer City of Montreal, as second engineer

The most exciting experience in the career of Capt. Carter was in the fall of the year 1897, November, when the waters of the Niagara River suddenly rose and cast loose the moorings of the Maid of the Mist. Being without coal, the casting adrift of the vessel was serious. Steam was kept up with the furniture and bulkheads, otherwise the vessel would have gone through the rapids. During the struggle of the boat the banks were lined with anxious spectators, and when eventually she was saved with her gallant captain and crew, tears of joy were shed by many in the crowd, not the least concerned, of course, being the Captain's wife and family.

Captain Carter was married to Miss Martha Lacey at Drummondville, Ont., in 1868, and there have been born to them two sons and five daughters. The eldest son, Capt. F. W. Carter, holds a master's certificate for Niagara River.Capt. R. F. Carter's record on the river is a good one. He built and has sailed the steamer Maid of the Mist below the Falls for thirteen seasons without accident, and has carried during that time about 350,000 passengers, making about 19,500 trips. He has had passengers from every land and every clime, including many of the world's notables. He holds a master's first class certificate of competency.

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