Journey of the U.S. Brig Niagara
The U.S. Brig Niagara has set sail for Maine, embarking on the next phase of her critical repair and refit project.
Niagara’s trip to shipyard will include vital work to ensure she can continue her important roles: training future mariners and offering dynamic educational experiences to visitors, all while preserving her historical significance.
Follow the U.S. Brig Niagara's Journey live on Marine Traffic.
Sticks Out!
July 15, 2025
The weather system that passed in the early morning hours brought some rain to Boothbay Harbor, but also cooler temperatures and virtually no wind. These were perfect conditions for the large crane to come on-site at Bristol Marine’s Sample’s Shipyard to remove Niagara’s lower masts and bowsprit. If you've never witnessed masts being picked out of a tall ship, it's certainly a sight to behold. This was a novel event for all involved, as there are few masts of this size and weight on the traditionally rigged ships sailing around the coast of Maine.
Jose Hernandez-Juviel of Sou’wester Rigging, an incredibly talented rigger, spent all day Monday and Tuesday finalizing the plan of attack and casting off standing rigging to the bare minimum. The rest was cast off once the Cote Crane & Rigging’s crane wire was attached and supporting the spar. Jose brought with him another rigger who is no stranger to Niagara: Ryan “Ryno” Whitehead. Ryno served our ship as boatswain for many years in the early 2000s and has since become the chief rigger for the USS Constitution in Boston. Having his eyes and experience on site added a layer of calm, as he's actually seen Niagara’s masts come out before—and every mast, no matter how many you've worked with, is different. Thanks for taking a busman’s holiday, Ryno!
It’s not every day that ships like Niagara have the opportunity to remove their lower masts. But since she'll be on this railway for the next several months, it only makes sense to “pull the sticks” and lay them down on the pier. This gives us a crucial opportunity to inspect the masts themselves, looking for rot or any other compromising areas that could affect their structural integrity.
The team at Bristol Marine’s Sample’s Shipyard plans to take advantage of new technologies for non-destructive testing of wooden spars. This will not only give us a glimpse into what's happening in the middle of the spars but will also add to the data of the company performing the work, expanding the industry’s knowledge and ability to develop methods that help reduce the occurrence of major rig failures across the fleet.
With the masts on the pier, we can also thoroughly inspect and repair the stack of shrouds where they sit aloft. Because these are constantly under pressure when the masts are in the ship, a thorough inspection of the eyes is nearly impossible while they're stepped, and repairs are even more so. We’ve also exposed the mast partners, the beefed-up structure of the deck where the masts pass through it. When the masts are stepped in the spring, all those associated components will be brand new.
DGUTS
Captain Greg Bailey
July 15, 2025, Boothbay Harbor, Maine
And the Work Carries On…
1:52 p.m., July 9, 2025
The usual quiet of Boothbay Harbor has been replaced these past days by the resonant buzz of saws and the rat-a-tat-tat of pneumatic drills. These continuous noises are punctuated by the syncopated clang of slide hammers pulling fasteners from the hull framing. Sawdust fills the air. All this noise and dust is the result of the Bristol Marine's Sample's Shipyard teams’ efforts to expose the internal structure of Niagara's bow.
We knew the stem was out of place and needed correction, but we couldn't tell if deteriorating structural timbers were a contributing factor until we opened things up and had a look. Yes, there’s deterioration, but luckily, we're finding it isn't worst case scenario.
The evidence shows there was no major defect leading to the issue at hand. Now, we simply proceed with replacing the rotten futtocks in the knight heads and cant frames (stay tuned for a future explanation of these terms!), fitting new stem timbers, adding additional breasthooks, and hanging planks to close the whole thing up.
Though my 25 years around wooden ships allow me to operate the Niagara and oversee shipyard projects—and Bristol Marine’s Sample’s Shipyard has all the experience one could ask for—we aren't the only ones approving the work. The United States Coast Guard has our backs. Their marine inspections department acts as a neutral third party, viewing projects with an unwavering bias toward protecting the lives of sailors and passengers and the ships that take them to sea. Initial meetings with the inspector here in Northern New England give me even more optimism that we are in good hands. Our Niagara is receiving the best possible care.
And the work carries on…
DGUTS
Captain Greg Bailey
July 9, 2025, Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Niagara is high and dry…Ready for repairs
4:51 p.m. June 26, 2025
Wednesday, June 25th dawned heavy and humid, the air so still it seemed to resist movement. This calm was a stark contrast to my own nerves. After 2,000 nautical miles, those last 300 yards through Boothbay Harbor's busy mooring field, dotted with lobster buoys, were the most nerve-wracking. In that short stretch, there were likely more obstacles than in the entire 26-day voyage from Erie. But the calm was welcome; Niagara was on her way to the marine railway.
At 10:15, with the last of the rising tide, we slipped our mooring. Bristol Marine crew were aboard, with support vessels from the yard and harbor master's office standing by. They were there to nudge us into perfect alignment on the ways, especially since our engines had to be off for a diver to ensure precise placement on the blocking.
It's an odd feeling, purposefully putting a vessel aground. But we did. From that point, there was little for me to do but watch as the yard crew meticulously pulled lines, positioning the ship just so. The keel blocks are fixed on the centerline, but the bilge blocks are cranked into place by hand-operated chains – hard work, especially in that 95-degree, heavy air.
Once the blocks were secure, the powerful winch roared to life. This massive machine, housed in its own building, began to drag the rail car—ship and all—out of the harbor. We expected the usual creaks and groans from vintage machinery, but with Niagara being the largest and heaviest vessel they'd hauled since the early 2000s, the winch house sang a different tune. Soon, the song ended. All was silent. Niagara was high and dry and now ready for her necessary repair work.
DGUTS
Captain Greg Bailey, Boothbay Harbor, Maine
We are in good hands, here in Maine
2:40 p.m., June 24, 2025
The U.S. Brig Niagara is as much a part of Erie as Mighty Fine Donuts, Smith's Hotdogs, and snowy winters. So not having her in Erie feels like an anomaly. Nevertheless, the extensive and unique scope of the current refit project dictated that we take her to a shipyard equipped for such a specific undertaking.
Mid-coast Maine, particularly the Boothbay Harbor area, is home to a fleet of traditionally built, rigged, and operated sailing vessels, including two of the oldest in the country: the Lewis R. French and Stephen Taber. The majority of these ships are engaged in the passenger trade, taking the public out to live and participate in this life for between three and seven days at a stretch. Many of these boats do not have inboard engines so maneuvering under sail is a way of life for the masters of these vessels. And they are good at it!
There is also an entire industry built around maintaining these ships in the off-season and the folks who do that work are some of the best in the world. The master shipwrights here do this work every day, making them not only talented but practiced in their art. There are also a handful of folks in the area who are too humble to call themselves master riggers, but they certainly have the talent and experience to meet the needs of this fleet. That expertise is not just limited to the “windjammers”— the term for the passenger schooners—but to several day sailors, training schooners (including Harvey Gamage, which was my first command), and classic sailing yachts.
What’s more, there’s a more contemporary maritime presence here in the Harbor, which brings the kind of talent needed for upgrading Niagara’s electrical, propulsion, and navigation systems.
We are in good hands here in Maine. Niagara will receive the expert care she needs and return to Erie, ready for another forty years of operating in and among the community.
Stay tuned for updates on Niagara’s haul out later this week.
DGUTS,
Capt. Bailey, Boothbay Harbor, ME
A voyage of 2,000 Nautical Miles
3:15 p.m., June 17
A voyage of 2000 nautical miles is a significant undertaking; some ships do not travel that far in an entire year let alone all at once. The crew got us here and have signed off to join other vessels for the season or take some much-deserved time off. Arriving here and bidding the crew adieu felt very much like the end of something, but the truth is that it’s only the beginning.
Since arriving, the ship has been a flurry of activity: shipwrights have been crawling around various compartments coming up with a plan for effecting the repairs to the stem and bow structure; the marine electrician has been out to try and make sense of Niagara’s electrical system so that a plan can be made for simplifying and updating it; the mechanic has visited to devise a plan for getting the old engines out and the new ones in without having to remove too many pieces of the ship; and the rigger is, at the time of this writing, aloft on the fore top preparing for the removal of the masts so that Niagara can be covered in such a way as to allow work regardless of weather and address any issues that are largely hidden when the sticks are in.
In conjunction with all of those visits, I’ve been in contact with the United State Coast Guard, American Bureau of Shipping inspectors, and our naval architect to ensure that we can hit the ground running as soon as we are hauled out. Preliminary drawings have already been approved to proceed with the removal of portions of the ship, but we do not know exactly what we may find until we open things up.
The next tide high enough to get Niagara on the railway is next week, but there is still much to be done before we can make the move to put our ship on the hard.
DGUTS,
Capt. Bailey, from a snug little mooring in Boothbay Harbor, ME
Brig Niagara is Boothbay Harbor
6:38 p.m., June 11, 2025
As we’ve come to the close of our voyage to Sample’s Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the journey, specifically the amazing crew that helped me get the Niagara here.
For the uninitiated, this notion of what it means to be a shipmate is unique. You’re thrown into a situation where you’re living in close proximity to sometimes forty other people who at the outset are complete strangers. You then engage in a great adventure that includes dizzying, euphoric highs and some pretty deep lows. You become close. You share in one another’s joys and support those that are having a harder time. It’s really difficult to explain how these are relationships that go far beyond mere friendship and are built on a bond that is as tight, but somehow different than family. I’m incredibly grateful to have sailed with the many crews I’ve had the good fortune to go to sea with over the years.
The crew that I put together for this voyage of the Niagara is no exception. They are among the best I’ve left the dock with. And the word has gotten out. Dan Moreland, Master of Picton Castle, made the drive up from Lunenburg to interview and recruit as many of these folks as he could while we were in Port Hawkesbury, NS. Captain Moreland has been tasked with getting a crew together to go in the venerable sail training schooner Harvey Gamage to begin what we all hope is a renewed life of taking young people to sea and offering them an experience that teaches far more than tying knots and differentiating between a tack and a gybe, but maybe a chance to discover something about themselves and to recognize and feel their strength.
With our voyage now complete, this crew will spread out to different ships, taking with them the lessons learned on our motorboat ride through the St. Lawrence Seaway, into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the North Atlantic Ocean, and finally to the Gulf of Maine. We may not see each other for years, but we will always remain shipmates.
Capt. Bailey
Boothbay Harbor, Maine, 1630, 11 June 2025
Feeling Grateful in Boothbay Harbor, ME.
2:52 p.m., June 5, 2025
We are proud to announce that the U.S. Brig Niagara, under the command of Captain Greg Bailey, has completed its 2,000-nautical-mile journey via the St. Lawrence Seaway, and has arrived at Bristol Marine's Sample’s Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Erie Maritime Museum and the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission are confident in the shipyard's renowned expertise and commitment to preserving historic vessels, and this project guarantees the Niagara will continue to inspire and educate new mariners and visitors alike for years to come.
Founded in 1869 as the Townsend Marine Railway, this historic shipyard began its service supporting the wooden ships that connected local and regional communities. In 1939, the railway was acquired by Frank Sample and became known as Sample’s Shipyard. During this era, the yard was a hub of activity, constructing minesweepers for the U.S. Navy, as well as commercial schooners and private yachts. These years established the shipyard's enduring legacy for generations of Boothbay residents and visitors alike.
In 2017, the shipyard was acquired by Bristol Marine, under the leadership of Andy Tyska. Committed to honoring the legacy of Sample’s Shipyard, Bristol Marine has continued its tradition of excellence in vessel restoration and service. Today, the facility remains a leader in the care and preservation of historic ships, private yachts, and commercial vessels, building on its rich heritage with forward-looking investment and skilled craftsmanship.
Recent projects include the full restoration of the SSV Ernestina-Morrissey, now sailing as the official sail training vessel of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and certified to carry up to 100 passengers. In addition to this major achievement, the skilled team at Bristol Marine’s Sample’s Shipyard has successfully completed restoration and service work on vessels such as the Friendship of Salem (a National Historic Landmark), Steamboat Katahdin, SSV Schooner Bowdoin (the Official State Vessel of Maine), and The Eleanor, a Boston Tea Party Ships Museum replica—alongside many private yachts and regional commercial boats.
Bristol Marine at Sample’s Shipyard is deeply committed to preserving and enhancing this historic site. It stands not only as a symbol of the region’s maritime heritage but also as an active working waterfront where skilled craftsmen continue to refine and pass on their trades. The shipyard is a testament to the strength and pride of the local community that has long supported it. Bristol Marine is honored to steward the iconic facility and ensure that future generations can actively participate in the living history of boatbuilding in Boothbay Harbor.
U.S. Brig Niagara Arrives in Maine Shipyard as $5 Million Repairs and Restoration Project Begins
8:33 a.m., June 5, 2025
The U.S. Brig Niagara will spend one year in the shipyard, where critical repairs and upgrades will be made in preparation for a 2026 return to Erie to participate in America 250 celebrations.
Erie, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) owned U.S. Brig Niagara will arrive in Bristol Marine’s Sample’s Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. The journey from Lake Erie marks a pivotal moment in the stewardship of Pennsylvania’s Flagship – undergoing a more than $5 million Commonwealth capital repair and refit project over the next year.
This comprehensive undertaking will ensure the Niagara’s continued ability to sail from the Erie Maritime Museum – serving as a training platform for up-and-coming mariners and an experiential learning opportunity for visitors. Under the command of Captain Greg Bailey, Niagara’s crew is voyaging over 2,000 nautical miles via the St. Lawrence Seaway.
"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," said Andrea Lowery, Executive Director of PHMC. "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."
Key project priorities include:
Repairing the ship’s stem assembly
Replacing framing, hull planking, waterway timbers, and compromised sections of gun ports, decking and bulwark planking
Recaulking the deck and painting the hull topsides and bulwarks
Installing new engines and transmissions, as well as new 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. We look forward to applying our expertise to ensure she's ready for her future voyages."
A fixture on Lake Erie and the Great Lakes since 1990, the Niagara is scheduled to return to Erie in July 2026, in time to participate in the celebrations for America’s 250th birthday. This shipyard visit follows a successful trip to Cleveland’s Great Lakes Shipyard in October 2024, where the installation of two new Max-Prop variable pitch propellers significantly enhanced the vessel's performance and efficiency.
About Bristol Marine and Sample’s Shipyard
Bristol Marine’s Sample’s Shipyard, nestled at the head of Boothbay Harbor in Mid-Coast Maine, carries a rich legacy of shipbuilding dating back to 1869. Led by General Manager Dennis Gunderson, their highly skilled and experienced team masterfully combines traditional wooden boatbuilding and restoration techniques with modern materials and equipment, keeping them at the forefront of this storied industry. Their expertise was recently showcased in Fall 2022 with the completion of an eight-year restoration of the schooner Ernestina Morrissey, a National Historic Landmark and the Official Vessel of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This commitment to preserving maritime heritage while embracing innovation makes them an ideal partner for the Niagara's extensive restoration.
Learn more about Bristol Marine by visiting their website.
Good morning from the Port Hawkesbury!
8:38 a.m,, May 31, 2025
As of 0720 Atlantic Daylight Savings Time (one hour ahead of Erie) Niagara put lines ashore on the commercial wharf in Port Hawkesbury, NS on Cape Breton Island. Although our little ship has performed admirably thus far, there is no sense in heading out into the North Atlantic Ocean with a deep low-pressure system forecast.
In the age of the weather having its very own 24-hour news channel, speaking severely about weather brings viewers, which is why certain terms have become used more broadly than before. One such term is “Nor’easter”. Cable TV news would have us believe that a Nor’easter is any stronger storm system that includes winds from the northeast. However, the genesis of the term comes from the New England states and Atlantic Canada where strong northeast winds—the winds in a low pressure system move counterclockwise and inward around the center of the low with the northeasterlies being the strongest sector of the system—tend to batter the coastal communities with not only the wind and rain, but also seas that have the entire fetch of the North Atlantic to build momentum.
Having faced these challenges for centuries, there are few places in the world better equipped to offer shelter from such weather than Nova Scotia. Niagara has managed to make it as far as Port Hawkesbury, tucked safely inside the harbor to wait out the next approaching low.
The forecasters seem to think that Tuesday will be the best conditions for making the next jump to Lunenburg. In the meantime, we are at the mercy of the overwhelming hospitality from the local citizens. These small port towns tend to be friendly in the first place but we’ve already had just about everyone in town drive by the dock and stop to take a look, ask questions, offer rides, and direct us toward the best local businesses like Bob’s Waffle Shack, Miller’s Seafood & Chop House, and Papa’s Pizza Pub.
From the crew of the Niagara, we hope you all have a relaxing and pleasant weekend.
Captain Greg Bailey
Walking the deck of the U.S. Brig Niagara can be a family adventure, especially for this father/son team
3:12 p.m., May 27, 2025
A ship like Niagara has the apparent tendency to inspire awe in all who lay eyes upon her. Even in her down rigged, unpainted, “on our way to the shop” appearance, passersby marvel at her and stop to ask questions about the ship, crew, and purpose of our voyage east. Few had the opportunity to get aboard to have a closer look, but those who did were employees of the various pilotage authorities who have been aboard to advise on the intricacies of navigation in the Seaway and portions of the river downstream. One such pilot was aboard with his colleague for our initial attempt to depart Quebec City. I was a little surprised to see him return — pilots work in a regular time on/off schedule — for our departure the following day, this time with a different colleague. Although neither pilot mentioned it explicitly, I believe this man’s return was deliberate; his colleague just happened to be his father. My suspicion is that special requests were made and granted for a father and son to have an experience together aboard Niagara.
I get it. My father first brought my brothers and me down to the site of the Niagara being built in the late 80s. At the time, the free Slush Puppy machine in one of the work trailers was more attractive to me than learning the intricacies of double sawn ship framing. But those early experiences led to regular volunteer crewing alongside my father and older brother and eventually inspired a career that spanned the globe in all manner of different ships, a career that eventually led me back to Erie to command the ship where it all began.
Whether he knows it or not, my father has been with me on every one of my adventures; island hopping with high school students in the tropics, making long trade winds passages on a global circumnavigation, or pushing petroleum products around the northeast in tug and barge units. So, being able to provide that experience for another father and son duo added a little something extra to this already important voyage.
If you’d like to know more about what the volunteer crew experience aboard Niagara is like, visit the Erie Maritime Museum on Wednesdays or Sundays where Ron Bailey, my father, still volunteers as a docent…just make sure to carve out enough time because once you get him talking about the types of experiences one can have as a volunteer, you might be there for a while. And to participate yourself, sign up to volunteer through the museum website, www.eriemaritimemuseum.com.
Capt. Greg Bailey
Captain Greg Bailey - Conditions on the Saint Lawrence River
11:27 a.m. - May 25, 2025
Last evening, after returning to port in Quebec City, Captain Bailey shared his thoughts with the team on the mainland regarding conditions on the Saint Lawrence river, and we wanted to share that with you today. The crew is resting and making preparations to leave this afternoon toward Gaspe, Eastern Quebec, Canada for refueling.
“Here’s the situation upon the Mighty St. Lawrence. The weather system that is bringing cold and wet conditions to many of you this Memorial Day weekend has slowed over the course of the day, meaning that the strong northeasterly breeze associated with it is not moving out of the area as quickly as was forecast upon our departure.
In a tidal river such as this, when a strong breeze opposes a strong tidal current, the seas stand up in what some describe as “square waves”—anyone who’s spent time on the lake in a sustained blow may have experienced a similar phenomenon— which feel not unlike a giant throwing refrigerators at the side of the ship. The conditions at suppertime were of 12-foot-tall refrigerators and I made the decision to turn back to try and find shelter until this system moves out and the advertised calm breezes return. This area offers little in the way of the type of anchorage that Niagara requires and the only two docks were occupied so it’s back to Quebec City.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the expert helmsmanship of deckhands Kaeo and Hill who steered us through the turn that had us in significant beam seas for a couple moments, which is not a simple task in a ship the size of Niagara steered via large tiller. In fact, the crew that we have assembled in this little ship has turned out to be an exceeding impressive group, and it is truly my honor to serve with them.”
Capt. Greg Bailey
24 May 2025
Update - Slowing Weather System
9:35 p.m. - May 24, 2025
Just a quick update! Due to slowing of the weather system bringing strong northeasterly winds, the U.S. Brig Niagara is headed back to Port in Quebec City. All is well with crew and ship. Safety is our priority and we are operating with an abundance of caution. Stay tuned for further updates on when Niagara will be back underway toward Prince Edward Island.
Excellent hospitality - Time spent with our host, Quebec City
11:38 a.m. - May 23, 2025
It has been an honor to spend time with our host, Quebec City, as we rotated crew, rested, and restocked for the next leg of our journey! Beyond our responsibilities to the wellbeing of the Niagara while she's in port, we've taken the opportunity to do a little sightseeing in our off watch hours, visiting several Quebec City attractions.
First up, the Place de la FAO, a public square commemorating the 50th anniversary of the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organization, which was founded right here in Quebec City in 1945.
From the port, we've also enjoyed stunning views of the iconic Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, an historic hotel that first opened in 1893 and was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1981.
We’ve also had the chance to meet our neighbors in port, including this Mistral Class “projection and command” ship of the French Navy. You can learn more about the French Navy’s visit to Quebec City - https://bit.ly/3YXg3Dg
Speaking of history, while our U.S. Brig Niagara played a vital role in the War of 1812, our current host city, Quebec City, also holds significant wartime history. By 1812, it was the only permanent fortress north of Mexico and served as the administrative and military hub for British forces in Lower Canada. Despite constant vigilance for an American attack, the city was never directly assaulted. However, as a crucial base of operations, it welcomed thousands of British and Canadian troops, along with a steady stream of merchant, transport, and warships. Sadly, it also became a site for American POWs, some of whom remain buried here. The fortress was strengthened after the war, and today, La Citadelle de Quebec continues to house an active Canadian military garrison.
The weather today isn't cooperating for our departure, so we'll spend one more night in Quebec City. We're planning to leave early tomorrow morning and get back on the water for our next stop in Summerside, Prince Edward Island!
Greetings from Quebec City!
4:30 P.M. May 20, 2025
The crew and the U.S. Brig Niagara have arrived safely and will be here until Friday, May 23. This pause in our journey gives us a chance to rest and replenish our supplies. It also gives us the opportunity to rotate some crew positions. Professional sailors are attracted to a vessel like Niagara but often have prior job commitments and can only be part of the crew for a certain amount of time. We are greatly honored to have maritime experts of this caliber, even for part of the voyage, as their experience greatly benefits the ship.
As one of the oldest European settlements in North America, Quebec City has been a vital port since its founding in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain. Its strategic location on the St. Lawrence River made it the gateway to the continent for early explorers, traders and settlers.
On Friday evening we will be departing for Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada, a journey that will take several days.
Passage through the Welland Canal
8:31 p.m. May 17, 2025
The U.S. Brig Niagara has completed its passage through the historic Welland Canal! Our skilled crew expertly navigated the intricate locks to ensure a smooth transit. Make sure to check out the accompanying video, where you can witness the remarkable sight of the ship being lowered approximately 40 feet within one of the locks – a fascinating glimpse into the canal's engineering.
We've now moored for the evening in Clayton, NY, a charming town nestled along the St. Lawrence River with a deep-rooted maritime history. Clayton is also home to the fantastic Antique Boat Museum (https://www.abm.org), a testament to the area's enduring connection to the water.
Tomorrow, the Niagara will be underway once again. Next stop, Quebec City!
Passing Inspection
6:43 p.m. May 15, 2025
Tonight, the Niagara is resting before her journey through the Welland Canal. Passage through these historic locks requires an annual inspection, and our Tall Ship — unique even in the tall ship class—presents a one-of-a-kind challenge for the inspectors.
We're pleased to report that Niagara passed inspection successfully and has been granted permission to proceed. While the modernization of the canal often sees larger steel vessels navigate the locks with minimal need for lines ashore, the Niagara requires a more traditional approach with the help of line handlers.
So this evening, we find ourselves alongside Port Colborne’s West St. Wharf, conveniently nestled between two sweet shops and a well-regarded tea room that our crew has already begun to appreciate. An early start is planned for tomorrow, and the local treats promise a pleasant night's rest.
Setting Sail for Maine
7:46 p.m. May 14, 2025
Tonight, the U.S. Brig Niagara set sail for Maine, embarking on the next phase of her critical repair and refit project.
Niagara’s trip to shipyard will include vital work to ensure she can continue her important roles: training future mariners and offering dynamic educational experiences to visitors, all while preserving her historical significance.
Follow her journey with us over the coming months!