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THE U.S. BRIG NIAGARA--Conclusion by Robert J. MacDonald In May, 1982 the Flagship NIAGARA League was formed in Erie as an affiliated group of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. With their enthusiastic interest, backing of Mayor Louis J. Tullio of Erie and State officials, major plans were made to have a new NIAGARA in the water by the time of the 175th Anniversary. Melbourne Smith of the International Historic Watercraft Society, inc. of Annapolis, Maryland was chosen in August, 1986 to head the three million dollar project. Smith had supervised restoration of two wooden vessels in California - the CALIFORNIA in San Diego and the GLOBE in Sacramento. He also built the first PRIDE OF BALTIMORE. Ironically Melbourne Smith's mentor was Eric Steinlain, who had reconstructed the NIAGARA almost 50 years earlier. Smith said Steinlain had taught him what he knew about naval architecture. First the NIAGARA, which had been on display for many years, had to be dismantled. This was accomplished with chain saws and cranes in September, 1987. Selected pieces from the 1813 NIAGARA were retained to be used in non-strengthening ways. By March, 1988 the lofting process was underway - laying out the designs in full scale and making patterns. The construction site selected was between the Erie Sand and Gravel Dock and the Presque Isle Yacht Club. Keel laying ceremonies were held on Saturday, May 7, 1988. Shipwrights came from California, Washington and Maine. The work force of 26 was augmented with young people from the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps. Like olden days even a blacksmith had to be employed as well as caulkers and painters. In spite of funding delays, work proceeded on schedule. The completed hull was lifted by a 350-ton Capacity Demag crane onto a hydraulic trailer | with 14 axles and 112 tires. Its land voyage on September 9 took it to its launching site further out on the Erie Sand and Gravel Dock. The following day, September 10, 1968, started with a big parade down State Street with pedestrian traffic only on lower State and the public dock areas. By early afternoon the harbor was filled with small boats, Canadian tugs were in, as well as a Navy landing craft. After the typical speeches, the Governor's wife, Mrs. Robert Casey, christened the brig. There was no launching from ways as she was picked up by the big crane and gently placed in Erie Harbor at 2:30 P.M. Six National Guard field pieces fired a salute. The tug JIGGS (ex BALTIMORE of 1911) then assisted her out into the bay where a boat parade was held. After these festivities the NAGARA was returned to the inner end of the Sand Dock. She was covered over to protect her from winter weather while work continued on the interior. The sum of $1.5 million in State funds was released in early March, 1989 to complete the restoration, i.e. putting in the masts, spars, rigging and interior work. On July 18 the tug JIGGS again lent a hand and brought her over to the old grain elevator slip for this work. The final contract was not signed until the end of October, 1989 with completion to be done by October 15, 1990. Smith forecast her sailing by the end of July and complete at the end of August. He was not bragging; he knew what he could do. Stepping the masts occurred with special ceremony on June 15th. Three silver dollars were placed at the bottom of the mainmast for good luck. On July Sth the crew started bending the sails. At 7:10 A.M., Wednesday, duly 18, the colors were raised on the NIAGARA. It was going to be a bright, sunny 44-9-2