Red Hill's second trip through the Niagara rapids came on May 30, 1931, this time choosing a steel barrel 6 feet (1.8 m) long and 3 feet (0.91 m) in diameter.
The opening was a 14-by-18-inch (360 mm × 460 mm) manhole, covered by sliding steel and sealed with rubber gaskets.
There were air holes on each side, which were plugged with cork and could be removed.
The contraption weighed over 600 pounds (270 kg) and was painted red with gold lettering that read "William Red Hill, Master Hero of Niagara" inscribed on both sides.

An estimated 25,000 spectators watched Hill attempt to conquer the rapids which got off to a slow start as the barrel bobbed and bucked in the raging river for an hour and forty minutes before arriving in the lower rapids.
In less than 90 seconds he had entered the mighty Niagara Whirlpool with its extremely strong currents and become trapped as his barrel violently spun in circles for more than three hours.
At one point he had opened the steel hatch and tried to paddle against the current to free himself, but to no avail.
It was only through the efforts of his son William "Red" Hill Jr., who swam out to the floundering barrel with a rope attached to his waist, that the senior Hill survived.

The next day the 42-year-old Hill went back to the whirlpool, retrieved his contraption and continued the final leg of his journey to Queenston, Ontario where he emerged triumphant, with only a few minor cuts and bruises.
Red Hill's second trip through the Niagara rapids came on May 30, 1931, this time choosing a steel barrel 6 feet (1.8 m) long and 3 feet (0.91 m) in diameter. The opening was a 14-by-18-inch (360 mm × 460 mm) manhole, covered by sliding steel and sealed with rubber gaskets. There were air holes on each side, which were plugged with cork and could be removed. The contraption weighed over 600 pounds (270 kg) and was painted red with gold lettering that read "William Red Hill, Master Hero of Niagara" inscribed on both sides.
An estimated 25,000 spectators watched Hill attempt to conquer the rapids which got off to a slow start as the barrel bobbed and bucked in the raging river for an hour and forty minutes before arriving in the lower rapids. In less than 90 seconds he had entered the mighty Niagara Whirlpool with its extremely strong currents and become trapped as his barrel violently spun in circles for more than three hours. At one point he had opened the steel hatch and tried to paddle against the current to free himself, but to no avail. It was only through the efforts of his son William "Red" Hill Jr., who swam out to the floundering barrel with a rope attached to his waist, that the senior Hill survived.
The next day the 42-year-old Hill went back to the whirlpool, retrieved his contraption and continued the final leg of his journey to Queenston, Ontario where he emerged triumphant, with only a few minor cuts and bruises.
William "Red" Hill Sr.