Tall Ships Invade Fairport Harbor This Weekend

The U.S. Brig Niagara may look as though it sailed right out of Pirates of the Caribbean, but don’t expect Capt. William Sabatini to sport a peg leg or an eye patch. “We have to dispel this myth that we are all pirates,” says Sabatini. “I am a professional mariner; this is my career.” The 12-year Niagara veteran shows visitors the ropes of a life at sea when his reconstructed War of 1812 vessel and eight others voyage to the Tall Ships festival’s new port in Fairport Harbor July 8-10. Festivalgoers can duck below the deck to see the Niagara’s sleeping ward for crew, which includes original wood from 1813 and 5-foot ceilings that mirror the original dimensions. “It’s a very unique experience,” Sabatini says. “You get to go down below and see how people lived both 200 years ago as well as right now.” And true to his word, Sabatini’s favorite mariner’s tale doesn’t include treasure chests. Instead he fondly recalls the value of talking to a young lad enamored with the War of 1812. “I’m hoping that in a few years, that he’ll be sailing with us,” he says. 420 Water St., Fairport Harbor, tallshipsfairportharbor.com