USS Niagara

The USS Niagara is a replica of a wooden sailing ship from 1813, about 200 feet long, with two full decks and 20 cannons mounted on the main deck. Today it serves as a floating museum in Erie's harbor where visitors can board and explore the vessel from top to bottom.

The original was built in 1813 during the War of 1812 and played a crucial role in a major naval battle on Lake Erie. The current vessel was reconstructed in the 1980s to preserve and share that naval history with future generations.

The ship tells the story of maritime life through its design and layout, showing how sailors lived and worked aboard vessel of this size. Walking through the decks reveals the tight quarters and daily routines that shaped the lives of those at sea.

The museum welcomes visitors during the warmer months when weather permits comfortable exploration of the decks. Wear comfortable shoes since you will climb wooden stairs and navigate sloped surfaces throughout the vessel.

The ship was rebuilt almost entirely and contains only small parts from the original 1813 vessel. Yet it still gives visitors a genuine sense of what naval warships of that era and their crews experienced at sea.