NEWS

Niagara hosts party for pirates, tourism board

Jessica Denton
Reporter

SOUTH BASS ISLAND - A 19th-century replica sailing vessel famous for helping Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry during the Battle of Lake Erie served a different purpose while docked at Put-In-Bay on South Bass Island on Friday: host for a private party.

The Jet Express hosted about 50 to 60 people for a private party aboard the U.S. Brig Niagara flagship while it docked in Put-In-Bay for the village's sixth annual Pyrate Fest.

About 30 pirates and about 25 government officials, tourism board members, members of the press and business owners had hors d'oeuvres and drinks as the sun set Friday evening across Lake Erie.

The Brig was docked at Put-In-Bay over the weekend to give residents and visitors tours as well as lessons about maritime and American history.

In 2014, the Jet Express, the Put-In-Bay Winery and the Brig Niagara signed a partnership to dock the Niagara at Put-In-Bay though 2020.

Pirates dressed in canvas doublet and breeches, knitted hats called Monmouth caps, cotton waistcoats and drawers, stockings, and linen shirts — along with extravagant feathers in their caps — boarded the vessel and mingled among those from the 21st century, even taking photographs and selfies with them.

The event was organized by Jet Express Sales and Marketing Director Nicole DeFreitas. Food and drinks were provided by local and island establishments such as The Boathouse, Pasquale's, Put-In-Bay Brewing Co., Frosty's Bar and Pizza, The Boardwalk, Mossback's, Great Lakes Brewing Co., Heineman's Winery, Great Lakes Popcorn Co. and Hooligan's.

"We wanted to share the experience of the Niagara coming in," DeFreitas said. "This weekend kicks off our full summer schedule, and we're all in this together to promote the area for new visitors."

According to a previous news release, the Niagara serves as a historical artifact for the Erie Maritime Museum and as a vehicle for sail training, an experiential learning process that preserves the skills of square-rig seamanship for the Flagship Niagara League.

Built between 1812 and 1813, the Niagara was constructed to protect the vulnerable American coastline on Lake Erie. This third-generation Niagara is a replica of the relief flagship of Perry during the Battle of Lake Erie during the war between British, Canadian and American forces.

On Sept. 10, 1813, nine small ships — six of them, including Niagara, constructed in Erie, Pennsylvania — 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 two-masted, squared-rigged vessel had a crew of 155 men and boys who manned the sails, 18 carronades (short smoothbore, cast iron cannons) 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, whereas 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 cannons and maneuvering the brig in response to orders from the captain.

The current Niagara was launched in 1988, the 175th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie. The Niagara sails the Great Lakes, preserving and interpreting the story of the Battle of Lake Erie, and acting as an ambassador in the capacity as the flagship of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

As a Sailing School Vessel, the crew of professionals and trainees actively preserve the skills of square-rig seamanship.

jdenton@gannett.com

419-559-1925

Twitter: @jessicadentonNH