U.S. Brig Niagra

Another visitor to the Port of Sturgeon Bay late last week - the US Brig Niagra.

We have met the enemy and they are ours - Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry.

From the US Niagra League- 

On September 10, 1813, nine small ships — six of them, including Niagara, constructed at Erie – defeated a British squadron of six vessels in the Battle of Lake Erie. A pivotal event in the War of 1812, it led to regaining Detroit, lost at the war’s outset, and lifted the nation’s morale.

The U.S. Brig Niagara is a two-masted, square-rigged sailing vessel. In 1813, she had a crew of 155 men and boys who manned her sails, 18 carronades and two long guns. The crew was organized into two watch sections (port and starboard) for routine duties while underway. More experienced sailors were stationed aloft, while others under the direction of petty officers manned the rigging which controlled the sails from deck. In battle, men also manned the guns and carronades. Boys carried the black powder charges from the magazine to the guns. Marines and soldiers were assigned to the fighting tops on the masts where they could fire their muskets on the enemy ships. Officers directed setting sails, firing cannon, and maneuvering the brig in response to orders from the captain.

According to US Niagra League this vessel is the wooden-hulled replica brig that served as the relief flagship for Oliver Hazard Perry in the Battle of Lake Erie.  

She is absolutely beautiful under full sail.

click on images to enlarge

You can learn more about the Niagra here.