On July 3, 2009, Melanie and I treated our
daughter, Sally, and her husband, Matt, to a day sail adventure aboard the
Flagship Niagara, based here in her home port of Erie, Pennsylvania. The day
was perfect, with winds at around 10 knots on Lake Erie, temperatures were in the
mid 70s, and an overcast sky that kept the sweat factor to a minimum. We set sail
from
Dobbins
Landing, which is next-door to the Brig Niagara's home dock at the
Erie Maritime Museum. Pictures
of our adventure are below, and a nice overview video produced by Edinboro University
of Pennsylvania is at the bottom. There is also a video I made of an actual cannon
firing demonstration. Captain
From the ship's website: "Flagship of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Flagship
Niagara is also a major museum "exhibit" when in homeport. The Niagara in Erie,
Pennsylvania, is a reproduction of the relief flagship of Commodore Oliver Hazard
Perry in a major naval battle of the War of 1812. On September 10, 1813, nine small
ships – six of them, including Niagara, constructed in Erie – defeated a British
squadron of six vessels in the Battle of Lake Erie. A pivotal event in the War of
1812, it secured the Northwest Territory, opened supply lines and lifted the nation’s
morale. The Flagship Niagara is a two-masted, square-rigged sailing vessel. In 1813
she had a crew of 155 men who manned her sails, 18 carronades and 2 long guns. Today’s
Niagara sails with a crew of 40 (16 professional, 24 volunteer), and carries
two 32-pounder carronades. Original 1813 timbers, which were recovered from the
1913 and 1933 reconstructions, are incorporated into her construction. "
Brig Niagara docked at Dobbins Landing
15 stars on the U.S. flag during the 1812 era
Crew unfurling the sails
Setting the mainsail Kirt, Sally & Matt doing the heavy lifting
A masterpiece of rigging
Taking it easy during dinner
Melanie, Sally, and Matt at the pier
Matt testing the hammock
Brig Niagara Video Tour Produced by Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Kirt, Melanie, Sally & Matt ready to set sail on the Brig
Niagara
Preparing to fire the cannon
View looking up the main mast
Captain Walter Rybka gives instruction prior to setting sail
Chicken stew dinner being served - boy was it good!
Melanie and Sally below decks - Melanie is always cold
On a tack - note the angle of the horizon
Cannon Firing Demonstration on Brig Niagara
Posted March 25, 2022 (updated from original post on 7/23/2012)
