Pennsylvania war ship in Maine for restoration project
The Bristol Marine Sample’s Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor is a temporary home for the U.S. Brig Niagara. Recognized as Pennsylvania’s flagship, the vessel has been in Maine since June for a year-long, $5.5 million refitting project. Now, the restoration work is being led by Dennis Gunderson, the shipyard’s general manager. He said, “There’s not a part of this boat that we won’t be putting our hands on.”His crew has been busy working on framing, planking, and rigging. They will also replace the engine and electrical parts. “We’re proud to be part of this project,” Gunderson said. “It’s more than any of us, so we’re just proud to be here to help steward a vessel into the future.”The U.S. Brig Niagara is a historically accurate reconstruction of a ship used in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. In the decades since that battle, it was recovered from the bottom of Lake Erie; rebuilt with new and old wood; and repurposed to be used for public education at the Erie Maritime Museum.Tyler Gum, from the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission, explained, “It sails out of the home port of Erie and functions as both a sailing school vessel, but then also at static interpretation while it’s actually dockside.” The ship hosts lessons about the war, sailing, and the marine industry. Gunderson told Maine’s Total Coverage that historic, wooden boat projects like this are what the marina is passionate about. It’s a craft he hopes younger generations continue to learn. He said, “It’s kind of a dying art, but it’s not dying here.”Gum also recognizes how unique and skilled the crew is. “You really have a very select few yards that can do this type of work at the caliber and level that we need them to do,” he said.Captain Greg Bailey took 21 days to sail the more than 2,000 nautical miles from Erie, Pennsylvania, to Boothbay Harbor on the St. Lawrence Seaway. The commission’s goal is to have the ship make its return trip home to Lake Erie in time to celebrate the Fourth of July. Gunderson and Gum agree they’re on track to make that happen.
The Bristol Marine Sample’s Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor is a temporary home for the U.S. Brig Niagara. Recognized as Pennsylvania’s flagship, the vessel has been in Maine since June for a year-long, $5.5 million refitting project.
Now, the restoration work is being led by Dennis Gunderson, the shipyard’s general manager. He said, “There’s not a part of this boat that we won’t be putting our hands on.”
His crew has been busy working on framing, planking, and rigging. They will also replace the engine and electrical parts. “We’re proud to be part of this project,” Gunderson said. “It’s more than any of us, so we’re just proud to be here to help steward a vessel into the future.”
The U.S. Brig Niagara is a historically accurate reconstruction of a ship used in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. In the decades since that battle, it was recovered from the bottom of Lake Erie; rebuilt with new and old wood; and repurposed to be used for public education at the Erie Maritime Museum.
Tyler Gum, from the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission, explained, “It sails out of the home port of Erie and functions as both a sailing school vessel, but then also at static interpretation while it’s actually dockside.” The ship hosts lessons about the war, sailing, and the marine industry.
Gunderson told Maine’s Total Coverage that historic, wooden boat projects like this are what the marina is passionate about. It’s a craft he hopes younger generations continue to learn. He said, “It’s kind of a dying art, but it’s not dying here.”
Gum also recognizes how unique and skilled the crew is. “You really have a very select few yards that can do this type of work at the caliber and level that we need them to do,” he said.
Captain Greg Bailey took 21 days to sail the more than 2,000 nautical miles from Erie, Pennsylvania, to Boothbay Harbor on the St. Lawrence Seaway. The commission’s goal is to have the ship make its return trip home to Lake Erie in time to celebrate the Fourth of July. Gunderson and Gum agree they’re on track to make that happen.
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