Tall ships, with their towering masts and sails, never fail to harness the wind and our collective imaginations. But of all the great ships I encountered growing up; in movies like the Goonies and Treasure Island, Lego Pirates and even ‘Old Ironsides’, it’s Brig Niagara I love the most. You can’t beat the comeback story with Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry besting the Royal Navy, “We met the enemy and they are ours..” The Niagara has a special place in my childhood memories as well (dad’s family is from Erie, PA where the restored ship is docked and available for tours).

For the The Great Lakes Our Freshwater Treasure endsheets, I knew we had to include a representation of the Niagara with the imagery. Recently, I had the chance to dust off the original illustration and add more detail to the rigging and background. It turns out it was appropriate timing, the Battle of Lake Erie took place September 10, 1813. Thanks for your interest in the history and my work!