Comments on: Erie PA News, Sports and Events for Thursday, March 19, 2009

By: Don

Don — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:11:26 +0000

How about our former Erie School District Board Member and Erie City Councilman not paying his student loans? Typical politician. Maybe he thinks Obama will notice and offer him a Cabinet position.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:22:40 +0000

What some people don't realize is that boats/ships (any boat) like to be used. If the Niagara stays in port all the time and isn't sailed, she will start to deteriorate from lack of use. I have a wooden boat and wood boats will start to loose their shape if not used. Reading several of the earlier comments about the ship staying in Erie–the majority of the individuals who see the ship while in port are out-of-town visitors. Local residents don't seem to visit her even when she is in port.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:56:44 +0000

I forgot to mention that Niagara is available for local residents to take daysails out of Erie over the course of nine weekends this year (or 27 daysails). I don't believe that any of these trips are sold out yet. The fact remains that Niagara is probably the most accessable historical ship that also sails in the whole world. Try booking a daysail on the USS Constitution and you'll find that it can't be done. We have a gem here. I hope our local residents understand that.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:51:11 +0000

What I think a lot of people don't understand is that the Niagara is in port, on average 310 days out of the year. That's 85% of the time. That means local visitors can go to the museum and board the Niagara most of the time – and she can still sail and be a great ambassador for Erie. Considering that Niagara can earn over $300,000 a year sailing, all that revenue is lost if she doesn't sail. But the expenses don't go away. The ship still needs maintained, and the maintenance cost is still there.

By: inked

inked — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 02:00:15 +0000

The ship is a tactile event - There is something about touching the vessel that you cannot get in photos and videos.

Being on the ship, down below connects you with a bit of the lives of the people who sailed these ships and the hardships endured to forge a better life for all.

Erie is really fortunate to have this and I think should have every opportunity to use it.

People who naysay spending the money on this have never really been on it and just don't get the importance of history.

By: PR

PR — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:38:42 +0000

I've got to agree with Inked. The Niagara makes a great sailing ambassador, BUT, if it's out visiting other ports all the time people will not come to Erie to visit it. It needs to have a balanced schedule with enough weekends in town so that tourists can go on board and see what the ship is all about. Static displays at the Maritme Museum just don't compare to going on board.

By: inked

inked — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:51:50 +0000

Perhaps if the ship stopped sailing, then people form Erie might just be able to see it. I think they need to spend some serious time letting the people of Erie enjoy what they bought and paid for.

It might not hurt to take a season off now and then. Not retire it permanently as it is a great ambassador, but let out of towners come to it once in a while.

I don't think there are but one or two photographs of the ship under full sail available anywhere.