Our cruise today will be keeping us in the East Branch of the Niagara River. As we leave our dock here at the Holiday Inn, we will be heading up stream or against the current in the direction of Lake Erie and the City of Buffalo. On our cruise today, our average speed will be 10 mph and will take us past such points of interest as the Steel Boat House, the South Grand Island Bridge, the Buffalo Launch Club, Pirate, Strawberry and Beaver Islands, Niawanda and Isle View Parks, Chevrolet Motor Plant, Huntley Power Station, and the NYS Barge Canal (the original Erie Canal). With one long blast of the ship’s whistle as our departure signal, we are underway up stream in the east branch of the Niagara River. The Niagara River begins at Lake Erie and travels 35 miles in a general northerly direction to Lake Ontario, and in these 35 miles drops 325 feet in elevation (the difference in elevation between Lakes Erie and Ontario), and we know the biggest drop to be at Niagara Falls at almost 200 feet. One of the reasons the river has such a strong or swift current is because the river is flowing downhill, but a larger contributing factor to the strong current here on the Niagara is actually physics. If you think back to your high school physics days, you’ll remember if you take a large body of water like Lake Erie and force it into a narrow area like the Niagara River, the water tends to run very fast and that is exactly what is happening here on the Niagara between Lakes Erie and Ontario. The current will vary anywhere from 7 ½ to 14 miles per hour depending on wind direction and velocity. The average water depth here in the east branch is 30 feet, and water temperatures will range from 32 degrees in winter to 75 degrees in summer. Company history: Locally owned family business Incorporated in 1998 by Richard A. Deegan as president and sole stock holder Negotiated lease agreement with the Holiday Inn, Grand Island NY for dockage, office space, and catering service. Purchased the 149 passenger Naples Princess of Naples, Florida, renamed her the Grand Lady and delivered vessel to Grand Island NY and had maiden voyage on May 14, 1998. The company has shown steady growth and has a promising future. Named 2005 Business of the Year by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce Work closely with the Holiday Inn in sales and marketing efforts with packages for Individual, group, and corporate travelers Memberships: Niagara Frontier Tourism Task Force NYS Tour Boat Association Passenger Vessel Association Grand Lady’s vital statistics: US flagged vessel Built 1993 in Lacrosse, Wisconsin 51 gross tons 80 feet long, 20 feet wide All steel construction If placed on a scale would weigh in at 125 thousand pounds Powered by 2 caterpillar diesel engines rated at 250 hp each Fully enclosed heated and air conditioned main deck dining room and second deck Captains’ Club, large aft veranda deck and open bow deck Capacities in passengers Licensed 149 Cruise only no meal served 120 Meal cruises 90 plated dinner or lunch 80 for buffet

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