Sam Patch was known as "The Jersey Jumper", "The Daring Yankee", or the "Yankee Leaper" became the first famous American daredevil after successfully jumping from a raised platform into the Niagara River near the base of Niagara Falls in 1829.
The advertisement for daredevil Sam Patch's fatal last jump
Sam Patch on his platform at the base of Goat Island
An illustration of Sam's last jump from "Old Ironsides, the hero of Tripoli and 1812, and other tales and adventures on sea and land" (1903)
Cover illustration of "The Wonderful Leaps of Sam Patch" Published circa 1870
Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls at the southern end of Niagara Gorge, spanning the border between the province of Ontario in Canada and the state of New York in the United States. The largest of the three is Horseshoe Falls, which straddles the international border of the two countries. It is also known as the Canadian Falls. The smaller American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls lie within the United States. Bridal Veil Falls is separated from Horseshoe Falls by Goat Island and from American Falls by Luna Island, with both islands situated in New York.
Niagara Falls seen from the Canadian side of the river, including three individual falls (from left to right): American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls.
Canadian Horseshoe Falls at right
Damage from wind and ice on Goat Island, 1903
American and Bridal Falls diverted during erosion control efforts in 1969
