George L. Stathakis was a 46 years old from Buffalo. His intention was to make money by selling the movie rights to his trip over the Horseshoe Falls in a barrel. Also along for the ride was his pet turtle "Sonny Boy". "Sonny Boy" survived but George, alas, did not. The trip on July 5, 1930 was successful but the sheer force of the water kept the barrel submerged and the limited oxygen supply ran out. The picture depicts the barrel the next morning after it was finally recovered.