Porter Family Miraculously Survives Perilous Boat Passage Over Falls

When the Porter family was relocating westward, they constructed a flatboat to travel down the rivers. As they approached a treacherous section called the falls of the Beaver, Sanford Porter made the wise decision to have the women and children disembark and walk along the shore. Nathan Tanner Porter recorded: 'As we neared the falls we drew to shore landed and disembarked the women and children. My father (Sanford) accompanying us leaving Mr. Morgan and two pilots on board. They launched out while we proceeded down along the shore. Watching the boat with intense interest as it drew into the suck, which soon plunged it over the falls.' For a few moments, it appeared all was lost 'as it disappeared beneath the foaming waters.' However, in a dramatic turn of events, 'it soon hove in sight right side up. No material damage being done in the adventure.' This miraculous preservation of the boat and its remaining occupants demonstrated divine care for the family during their dangerous frontier journey westward.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

The most striking incidence was that of passing over the falls of the Beaver. As we neared the falls we drew to shore landed and disembarked the women and children. My father (Sanford) accompanying us leaving Mr. Morgan and two pilots on board. They launched out while we proceeded down along the shore. Watching the boat with intense interest as it drew into the suck, which soon plunged it over the falls. For a few moments, it appeared all was lost as it disappeared beneath the foaming waters. However, in a dramatic turn of events, it soon hove in sight right side up. No material damage being done in the adventure.