Inspired by the classic german ballad "John Maynard" by the famous german poet Theodor Fontane. This poem refers to a real event in August 1841, and was published first time in 1886.
The ballad praises the helmsman of a passenger steamer on Lake Erie, on which a fire breaks out towards the end of a journey from Detroit to Buffalo. John Maynard remains ‘in smoke and fire’ at his post until the ship reaches the shore, thus saving everyone at the cost of his own life.