OT USS Niagra

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: OT USS Niagra
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Herb Iffrig on Monday, August 11, 2014 - 05:31 pm:

Video of USS Niagara going through Port Huron last week is not a replica but the actual thing.




Built in 1813 and was Admiral Perry's flagship in the Battle of Erie during the War of 1812.





Sent by a correspondent in Port Huron, Michigan :




https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152146174286511


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Seth - Ohio on Monday, August 11, 2014 - 05:51 pm:

Thanks for posting this link. I had the pleasure of going aboard that ship when it was in port at Lake Erie PA. I am amazed at how cramped the quarters are and yet they ate,slept,and fought battles all in one very tight space. The shallow draft of the keel was the advantage. They could out run other ships in the shallow water.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ex trooper on Monday, August 11, 2014 - 09:13 pm:

Making good headway against the current with luff sails.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Layden Butler on Monday, August 11, 2014 - 09:38 pm:

The Niagara was constructed from 1812 to 1813 to protect the vulnerable American coastline on Lake Erie from the British and played a pivotal role in the battle for the lake. Along with most of warships that served in the war, the Niagara was sunk for preservation on Presque Isle in 1820. Raised in 1913, it was rebuilt for the centennial of the Battle of Lake Erie. After deteriorating, restoration of the Niagara was started again in the 1930s, but was hampered by the lack of funds caused by the Great Depression and remained uncompleted until 1963. A more extensive restoration was carried out in 1988 in which much of the original ship was largely destroyed. The incorporation of new materials and modern equipment makes it ambiguous as to whether it is or is not a replica.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Eckensviller on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 - 10:09 am:

Sounds like my great-great grandfather's axe. The head has been replaced twice and it's on its sixth handle but other than that it's all original...

Very neat to see something like the USS Niagara still in use. We can only hope our cars do the same, regardless of how many times they've had every last piece replaced.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Wrenn on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 - 08:00 pm:

Being a Captain on an excursion boat for over 20 years, docking adjacent to the Niagara almost yearly when she would make the port we docked at daily, I'd have to agree with Layden. Not to diminish this fine vessels appearance and certainly importance, unfortunately about the only original part(s) are a few keel planks. I was told exactly how much years ago, but it's pretty much left my gray matter, especially since I haven't run the boat I was Captain of for 4 years now and don't get the chance to visit with the crew. And, certainly this vessel did not have an engine in it back in 1812 like it does now!
Nonetheless, she is a grand ol' lady!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Herb Iffrig on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 - 08:03 pm:

They put an engine in that boat!
That's like putting a V8 in a model T.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Wrenn on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 - 08:55 am:

Yeh Herb, I'm afraid they put an engine in her! And a diesel no less! It slips my mind, but it might even have twins in her. I'm pretty sure if it does, they're coupled to a single screw, the helmsman always had a terrible time getting her to and especially away, from the dock. The boat I ran had twin screws, I could make her do anything.

For a fee, people can sign aboard for a period of time on her learning to sail a tall-rig boat. Lot of kids do it, some "old folks" who don't mind hot, cramped sleeping quarters!


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