Photos of the U.S. Brig Niagara through the years (2024)

U.S. Brig Niagara crew members furl the sails after a school-day outing aboard the ship in Erie on May 12, 2017. [GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Carolers from Koinonia of Erie County perform for visitors inside the U.S. Brig Niagara during the Flagship Niagara League's 12th Annual Christmas Tree Ship event at the Erie Maritime Museum in Erie Dec. 9, 2016. DAVE MUNCH/ERIE TIMES-NEWS

Apprentice seafarers Kate Fournier, 20, left, and Emily Finn, 26, haul lines on board the U.S. Brig Niagara in Erie on Aug. 30, 2017. [GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

The U.S. Brig Niagara leads the Tall Ships Erie Parade of Sail in Presque Isle Bay on Sept. 8, 2016. [GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Visitors wait to enter the U.S. Brig Niagara during the Flagship Niagara League's 12th Annual Christmas Tree Ship event at the Erie Maritime Museum in Erie Dec. 9, 2016. DAVE MUNCH/ERIE TIMES-NEWS

Carpenter's apprentice Alethea Gaardem varshishes wooden sections of the U.S. Brig Niagara at the ship's berth behind the Erie Maritime Museum in Erie March 25, 2017. [DAVE MUNCH/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

About 40 students and teachers from East Middle School board the U.S. Brig Niagara, docked at Dobbins Landing in Erie on Sept. 22, 2017. The students are part of a new program in the Erie School District called the Maritime Academy, which will expose eighth graders from all the district's middle schools to the history and workings of the War of 1812-era tall ship. [CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Math teacher Amy Heyer, center, and her students from Wattsburg Area Junior High School walk under the tarp frame while on the deck of the U.S. Brig Niagara on Oct. 20, 2017. The students were on an eighth grade field trip. The tall ship's crew is preparing the vessel for winter storage at its berth at the Erie Maritime Museum on the Presque Isle bayfront. [CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

The U.S. Brig Niagara fires one of its guns while cruising east in Presque Isle Bay after leading the nine-ship Parade of Sail during the Tall Ships Erie festival in Erie on Sept. 5, 2013. [ANDY COLWELL/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

The U.S. Brig Niagara, seen from Bicentennial Tower, docked at Dobbins Landing in Erie Sept. 30, 2016. [DAVE MUNCH/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

From left, the U.S. Brig Niagara, the Playfair and the El Galeon wait out a storm on Lake Erie just east of the Presque Isle Channel Sept. 8, 2016, prior to the Parade of Sail, which opened the Tall Ships Erie festival. [CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Captain Billy Sabatini of the U.S. Brig Niagara talks with crew members working on the ship April 29, 2016, at the ship's berth behind the Erie Maritime Museum. The crew was preparing for a shakedown sail the following day. The ship will sail in Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie on April 30 as the crew trains for the upcoming season. [JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

The U.S. Brig Niagara Captain and parade marshal Billy Sabatini watches El Galeon, left, and the Tall Ships Erie Parade of Sail in Presque Isle Bay from atop the Bicentennial Tower on Sept. 8, 2016. [GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Cecilia Weissert, ordinary seafarer and medial officer with the U.S. Brig Niagara climbs the ship's rigging April 29 at the ship's berth behind the Erie Maritime Museum. The crew is preparing for a shakedown sail tomorrow. The ship will sail in Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie on April 30, 2016, as the crew trains for the upcoming season. [JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Apprentice Andrew Verra of the U.S. Brig Niagara climbs the rigging to work on the vessel April 29, at its berth behind the Erie Maritime Museum. The crew was preparing for a shakedown sail the following day. The ship will sail in Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie on April 30, 2016, as the crew trains for the upcoming season. [JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Visitors board the U.S. Brig Niagara to tour the ship and meet Santa during the Christmas Tree Ship event at the Erie Maritime Museum on Dec. 12, 2014. [JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Gov. Tom Corbett (at podium) announced May 22, 2014, in Erie that $4.8 million in state funding would be allocated to renovate, refit and upgrade the U.S. Brig Niagara (shown in the background), Pennsylvania's flagship and its only floating museum. Seated in the background, from left are: first lady Susan Corbett; Jean Craige, commissioner of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; Shawn Waskiewicz, Executive Director of the Flagship Niagara League; Walter Rybka, senior captain of the U.S. Brig Niagara. [CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Matt Kent, able seaman with the U.S. Brig Niagara works on April 29, 2014, while preparing the ship for the beginning of the sailing season. [JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

This is a Sept. 2013 file photo of then-Chief Mate Billy Sabatini on the bow of the U.S. Brig Niagara during the Tall Ships Erie Parade of Sail on Presque Isle Bay in Erie. On Dec. 27, 2013. Sabatini was named captain of the U.S. Brig Niagara by officials at the Flagship Niagara League. [CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Able-bodied Seaman Dan Cleveland, at left, and Ordinary Seaman James Turner, at right, set the royal sail on the main mast of the U.S. Brig Niagara while on Lake Erie just before entering Presque Isle Bay during the Tall Ships Erie Parade of Sail on Sept. 5, 2013.[CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Isaiah Young, 30, left, of Greeneville, Ohio, fires one of the U.S. Brig Niagara's guns as volunteer crew member Chuck Detzel, 60, right, of Millcreek Township, takes cover as the ship maneuvers in Presque Isle Bay during a gun salute for the Perry 200 celebrations in Erie on April 30, 2012. Contracted ship carpenter Aaron Freeman, 41 far right, of New Marshfield, Ohio, covers his ears for the blast. Young is an able-bodied seaman of the ship's professional crew and acted as gun captain for the excursion, and Detzel is a volunteer crew member who was selected to assist with setting charges for the four-gun demonstration. [ANDY COLWELL/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

The rear of the U.S. Brig Niagara is photographed inside of Presque Isle bay for the Parade of Sail during the Erie Tall Ships festival on Sept 5, 2013. [JARID A. BARRINGER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

The U.S. Brig Niagara is dry-docked at Great Lakes Towing Co., in Cleveland, Ohio, where required maintenance is being performed on the ship on Sept. 29, 2011. {ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Walter Rybka, senior captain of the U.S. Brig Niagara, was photographed aboard the vessel following maneuvers in Presque Isle Bay after a gun salute for the Perry 200 celebrations in Erie on April 30, 2012. The vessel's crew under Rybka's commanrd fired its four guns during the salute as hundreds of onlookers watched from shore around Dobbins Landing. [ANDY COLWELL/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Thousands of people cheer while the U.S. Brig Niagara leads nine sailing ships through the channel into Presque Isle bay for the Parade of Sail during the Erie Tall Ships festival on Sept 5, 2013. [JARID A. BARRINGER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Angelo Maroulis, a painter for Great Lakes Towing Co., in Cleveland, Ohio, works on bringing a barge containing the U.S. Brig Niagara closer to the dock. The Niagara is being dry-docked at the shipyard while workers perform required maintenance on the ship. The photo was made Sept. 29, 2011. [ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Angelo Maroulis, a painter for Great Lakes Towing Co., in Cleveland, Ohio, power washes the hull of the U.S. Brig Niagara, which is dry-docked at the shipyard while workers perform required maintenance on the ship. The photo was made Sept. 29, 2011. [ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Angelo Maroulis, a painter for Great Lakes Towing Co., in Cleveland, Ohio, power washes the hull of the U.S. Brig Niagara, which is dry-docked at the shipyard while workers perform required maintenance on the ship. The photo was made Sept. 29, 2011. [ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Sydnee Groendaal, of Erie, ties a line around the ridge beam, a temporary structure that supports the winter cover on the Niagara, on March 19. More than 50 volunteers showed up to hel uncover the Niagara as it prepares for a shakedown sail on April 30, 2011. [JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

The U.S. Brig Niagara enters Presque Isle Bay from Lake Erie with other sailing vessels during the Tall Ships Erie Festival on Sept. 9, 2010. [GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Crowds line up to tour the U.S. Brig Niagara at Dobbins Landing in Erie on Sept. 10, 2010, during the Tall Ships Erie festival. [JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

This is a Sept. 9, 2010 file photo of the U.S. Brig Niagara leading six sailing vessels into Presque Isle Bay past hundreds of viewers lining the north and south piers in Erie during the 2010 Tall Ships Erie festival. [GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

U.S. Brig Niagara crewman Brad Crooks assembles rigging near the ship as crew members work to prepare the ship for winter storage Oct. 1, 2009, at the Maritime Museum. [ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Flagship Niagara volunteer, Kevin Fonner, 32, top, Rob Aspinwall, 26, boatswain, left, and Ben Roger, 26, able seaman, work on the ship, April 26, 2010, to prepare it for the summer sailing season. "Once your legs go numb, you're fine," said Roger, suspended above the water on a series of ropes at the front of the ship. The sailors were preparing for a shakedown cruise on April 29, to get the first sail in of the season and make sure the ship is in working order. "I can't wait to set sail and go ripping along," said Roger. This is an exciting year for the crew of the Niagara, which will host Tall Ships Erie 2010 on Sept. 9-Sept. 12. The four day festival will feature a parade of sail, ship tours and demonstrations. [JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Ryan Whitehead, bosun aboard the Brig Niagara, removes one of the ship's sails, on July 25, 2011, after returning from a three-week tour of the Great Lakes. [JACK HANRAHAN/ ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

This is a Sept. 2009 file photo of the U.S. Brig Niagara sailing on Presque Isle Bay. Sunday will be the 20th Anniversary of the maiden voyage of the Niagara in Lake Erie. [CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Crewman from the U.S. Brig Niagara work on bracing the main sail of the ship May 27, 2009. From left are: Isaiah Young, ordinary seaman; Pete Kuhn, volunteer; Jennings Boley, apprentice seaman and Eric Lind, volunteer. Sixth grade students from the First District Elementary School in the Crawford Central School District sailed on the Niagara through a joint venture of the Brig Niagara and Pennsylvania Sea Grant with the purpose of offering students an educational opportunity by turning the Niagara into a floating classroom. [ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Crewmen from the U.S. Brig Niagara work to retrieve the cutter, a small boat that services the ship, on May 27, 2009. The first three, from foreground, are Sydnee Groenendaal, ordinary seaman; Sara Grise, Pennsylvania Sea Grant, and Brad Crooks, trainee deck hand. The crew of the ship sailed sixth graders from First District Elementary School in Crawford Central through a joint venture of the Brig Niagara and Pennsylvania Sea Grant with the purpose of offering students an educational opportunity by turning the Niagara into a floating classroom. [ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Sixth grade students from the First District Elementary School in the Crawford Central School District cover their ears as crewmen from the Brig Niagara fire a cannon from the starboard deck of the ship while it was out on Lake Erie on May 27, 2009. The students are, from left, Savanna Bish-Hazelhurst, Emma Heuchert, Julia Pless and Matt Friedhoff. They were among other sixth graders who sailed on the Niagara through a joint venture of the Brig Niagara and Pennsylvania Sea Grant with the purpose of offering students an educational opportunity by turning the Niagara into a floating classroom. [ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

The U.S. Brig Niagara sails on Presque Isle Bay near Liberty Park during a public day sail on July 6, 2008. [JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

U.S. Brig Niagara shipwright Bob Arlet holds his coffee during a break during the crew's work day. The coffee mug speaks to the issue concerning the immediate future of the flagship. Photos was taken March 21, 2009. [ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

The U.S. Brig Niagara begins its day sail June 2, 2008 from Presque Isle Bay. A plackard at the top of the Bicentennial Tower is in the foreground. [ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Hannah Gray, an employee who was a crew member last year on the U.S. Brig Niagara, dresses the yard as she works on getting the ship ready for this season . Photo was taken March 21, 2009. [ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

This is a June, 2007 file photo of the U.S. Brig Niagara under sail during a day sail. [JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

U.S. Niagara Captain Wesley Heerssen gives direction a crane operator who is placing a new main mast in the ship March 19, 2008. [ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Baylee Neugebauer, 7, watches the U.S. Brig Niagara motoring through the channel into Lake Erie on July 11, 2005. Her father, Tim Neugebauer, took her fishing on the north pier. Watching the Niagara pass by was an added bonus. [ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Jocelyn Lohse of Virginia flakes the dock line on the deck of the U.S. Brig Niagara on June 28, 2004. [ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

The U.S. Brig Niagara sails on Lake Erie on Sept. 11, 2003. In the foreground is the U.S. Coast Guard headquarters at Presque Isle State Park. [RICH FORSGREN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

Niagara captain Wesley Heerssen looks over the U.S. Brig Niagara before getting underway on June 28, 2004. [ROB ENGELHARDT/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

The U.S. Brigh Niagara sails on Presque Isle Bay on Aug. 28, 2003. [RICH FORSGREN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]