Niagara Falls and area is rich in both history and poetry. Join Andrew Porteus, retired librarian and historian, as he explores the history of Niagara Falls and area through its poetry. My mantra: if there isn't a poem about it, it didn't happen (although I may write a limerick about it to confirm that it did happen). This podcast is a component of the Niagara Falls Poetry Project at https://niagarapoetry.ca
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Niagara Falls and area is rich in both history and poetry. Join Andrew Porteus, retired librarian and historian, as he explores the history of Niagara Falls and area through its poetry. My mantra: if there isn't a poem about it, it didn't happen (although I may write a limerick about it to confirm that it did happen). This podcast is a component of the Niagara Falls Poetry Project at https://niagarapoetry.ca
Niagara History and Poetry Episode 3 - Captain Matthew Webb
Niagara History and Poetry
21 minutes 5 seconds
8 months ago
Niagara History and Poetry Episode 3 - Captain Matthew Webb
Captain Matthew Webb. the first person to swim the English Channel from Dover to Calais, lost his life at Niagara Falls whilst attempting to swim the Niagara River rapids and whirlpool. This tragedy is documented in poems by 3 of the worst poets writing in English and 3 poets laurate, and includes both a poem and a prose description of encounters with Captain Webb's ghost.
Poems and other sources cited:
Almon Trask Allis. Uncle Alvin at Niagara https://niagarapoetry.ca/2018/01/13/alvin/
John Betjeman. A Shropshire Lad (on album Banana Blush) https://niagarapoetry.ca/2021/07/27/betjeman/
Donald Lashelle. The River Niagara https://niagarapoetry.ca/2018/01/08/lashelle/
James McIntyre. Niagara’s Charms and Death of Webb https://niagarapoetry.ca/2021/06/20/charms/
William Arthur Deacon. The Four Jameses (book)
James Gay. Lines on the Death of Captain Webb https://niagarapoetry.ca/2021/06/20/charms/
Crawford Kilian. Canada’s Five Worst Poets: Are You Number Six? https://thetyee.ca/ArtsAndCulture/2012/03/24/Five-Worst-Poets/
Chris Hunt. McGonagall Online. https://www.mcgonagall-online.org.uk/
James McGonagall. The Death of Captain Webb https://niagarapoetry.ca/2025/03/02/mcgonagall/
Michelle Ann Kratts, in her Kratts Korner column on the Oakwood Cemetery website https://www.oakwoodniagara.org/
Niagara Falls Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay
Niagara History and Poetry
Niagara Falls and area is rich in both history and poetry. Join Andrew Porteus, retired librarian and historian, as he explores the history of Niagara Falls and area through its poetry. My mantra: if there isn't a poem about it, it didn't happen (although I may write a limerick about it to confirm that it did happen). This podcast is a component of the Niagara Falls Poetry Project at https://niagarapoetry.ca
