Historic tall ship Niagara leaves Erie, preparing for America's 250th birthday

 One of America’s most historic tall ships, the U.S. Brig Niagara, has arrived in Maine for a comprehensive, year-long restoration project totaling more than $5 million. The vessel, whose home is along the shores of Erie, Pennsylvania, will undergo critical repairs and upgrades at Bristol Marine's Sample's Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor.

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, which owns the Brig Niagara, said the extensive work is in preparation for the ship's return to Erie in July 2026, where it will participate in America 250 celebrations marking the nation's 250th birthday.

"The U.S. Brig Niagara is more than just a ship; she is a living symbol of Pennsylvania's role in American history and a crucial educational asset," Andrea Lowery, executive director of PHMC, said in a statement. "This essential shipyard period reflects PHMC’s investment in her future, ensuring she can continue to inspire future generations and proudly represent the Commonwealth during the America 250 celebrations in 2026 and for many years to come."

The Brig Niagara, a historically accurate reconstruction of the brig commanded by Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812, sailed over 2,000 nautical miles via the St. Lawrence Seaway to reach the Maine shipyard.

Key aspects of the restoration include repairing the ship’s stem assembly, replacing damaged framing, hull planking, waterway timbers, and sections of gun ports, decking and bulwark planking. The project also entails recaulking the deck, painting the hull topsides and bulwarks, and installing new engines, transmissions, generators and upgrades to the ship’s electrical system.

"It's an honor to welcome the U.S. Brig Niagara to our shipyard," said Dennis Gunderson, general manager of Bristol Marine’s Shipyard at Boothbay Harbor. "Our team is deeply committed to the preservation of historically significant vessels, and the Niagara represents a truly unique piece of American history."

A familiar sight on Lake Erie and the Great Lakes since 1990, the Niagara serves as a training platform for mariners and an experiential learning opportunity for visitors from its homeport at the Erie Maritime Museum. This shipyard visit follows a trip to Cleveland’s Great Lakes Shipyard in October 2024, where new variable pitch propellers were installed.