This flag flies on a replica of the US Brig Niagra. My wife and I drove to Erie, Pennsylvania where the US Niagra is berthed at the Erie Maritime Museum. I didn't realize there was a gull in the photo until I saw it on my monitor when I got home. I was trying to time the flag's reaction to the wind to get as many stars as I could.
@maggiemae - It is not. The US Niagara or the US Brig Niagra was constructed somewhere between 1812 to 1813 in Erie, Pennsylvania to protect the vulnerable American coastline on Lake Erie from the British and played a pivotal role in the battle for the lake in the War of 1812. Because of its historical role as the flagship of Oliver Hazard Perry during the Battle of Lake Erie, the ship is commonly referred to as the Flagship Niagara. Along with most warships that served in the war, Niagara was sunk for preservation on Presque Isle in 1820. Raised in 1913, it was rebuilt for the centennial of the Battle of Lake Erie. After deteriorating, the restoration of Niagara was started again in the 1930s, but was hampered by the lack of funds caused by the Great Depression and remained uncompleted until 1963. A more extensive restoration was carried out in 1988 in which much of the original ship was largely destroyed. The incorporation of new materials and modern equipment makes it ambiguous as to whether it is or is not a replica. Also due to more modern maritime laws, the lifeboat that is suspended from the back and on the starboard side were not a part of the original ship.
