Insiders call Erie's historic tall ship "Niagara 4," referring to the U.S. Brig
Niagara that was launched in 1988. Niagara serves as Pennsylvania's
flagship, and has delighted visitors from home and around the world for 30
years. This ship, the pride of Erie area residents, the state, and the Flagship
Niagara League, has thrived far longer than the original Niagara (1813-
1820) and far surpassed the functional life of the first replica, which was
raised and rebuilt in 1913 for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Lake
Erie. But Erie's magnificent brig will soon be rebuilt with millions of dollars
in improvements, producing the next "Niagara." Who better to tell the story
of "Niagara 4" than William Sabatini, Executive Director and Fleet Captain
of the Flagship Niagara League. Captain Sabatini knows the Niagara as
well as anyone, having served as its long-time first mate, captain and now
organizational leader. – Capt. William Sabatini
Capt. William Sabatini was promoted to Flagship Niagara League Executive
Director and Fleet Captain by the organization’s board of trustees in 2018.
Sabatini, 36, a native of Natick, Massachusetts, joined the U.S. Brig Niagara
in 2005 as the vessel’s Third Mate. He served as the Niagara’s Second Mate in
2006 and 2007 before he was named Chief Mate in 2008, a position he held
for six years through 2013. Sabatini was promoted to Captain of the Niagara
in 2014. In his new role, Sabatini will oversee Flagship Niagara League
operations, including crew, ships and administrative staff.