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Powell Capsized 
that had accompanied the cliffs along the river above. Because 
of this general barren appearance the gorge was called the Can¬ 
yon of Desolation. On July nth, they approached a rapid 
which seemed at first glance no more difficult to run than many 
they had successfully dashed through. The leading boat by 
PowelFs direction pulled into it, but this move was no sooner 
made than he perceived that at the bottom the river turned 
The Canyon of Desolation—Sumner’s Amphitheatre. 
Walls about 1200 feet. 
Photograph by E. O. Beaman. U. S. Colo. Riv. Exp. 
sharply to the left and the waters were piled against the foot 
of the cliff in an alarming manner. An effort was made to 
land, but as they had shortly before broken one oar and lost 
another, the two remaining were not sufficient to propel the 
boat with force enough to reach the desired point. At the 
same time, a huge wave striking the boat turned it instantly 
upside down and cast Powell some distance away. He sue- 
