In 1981, the Flagship Niagara League was formed with the intention of reconstructing the ship, not just as a museum, but also as a working ship. Melbourne Smith,the builder of the brig Pride of Baltimore, was hired to head the task.
The decay of the Niagara was so bad it was dismantled and ultimately destroyed with some timbers salvaged and used in non-structural areas of the new ship.
The first USS Niagara had been built very hastily, but the new one received seasoned and preserved yellow pine and Douglas fir for its wood. And, it has new, modern equipment.
The new Niagara was launched 10 September 1988 but was not completed until 18 July 1990. It has been designated by the state as the official flagship of Pennsylvania. It is one of only two remaining ships from the War of 1812, the other being the USS Constitution..
--Brock-Perry
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
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