USS NIAGARA CAPTAIN, CREW FIRED FOR POSING WITH "86-47" SIGNAL FLAGS (ERIE PA)

[orangecrush]

Last edited Sun Jul 5, 2026, 12:51 PM - Edit history (2)

Erie, Pa (WJET/WFXP)– The fallout from a controversial social media post has cost the captain of the Brig Niagara and several crewmembers their jobs.

State Senator Dan Laughlin told us on Friday it’s his understanding the captain and some crew members were relieved of their duties when the flagship reached Erie on Thursday.

Friday night, the communications director for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission confirmed those employees are no longer with the Niagara.

In June, a photo was posted of crew members holding maritime signal flags to spell out 86-47, which some interpreted as a call to remove President Donald Trump..

PHMC is now looking for an interim captain for 2026 and a permanent captain to take command next year

https://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/niagara-captain-some-crew-members-fired-laughlin/amp/

The Niagara was Oliver Perry's flagship in the Battle of Lake Erie" on September 10, 1813, in which he defeated the Kings Navy.
..........

"Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry sent this historic dispatch on September 10, 1813, to Maj. Gen. William Henry Harrison. It announced his decisive naval victory over the British fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.The original, full message was: "Dear Gen'l: We have met the enemy, and they are ours. Two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop. Yours with great respect and esteem."


An interesting historic side note -

"King George III was the official monarch of England (Great Britain) during the War of 1812. However, due to his severe mental illness, his son—the future King George IV—served as Prince Regent and actually ruled the country throughout the conflict."

Sound familiar?

This is a HUGE DEAL in Erie, the Niagra is the pride of the city.




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Contact Josh Shapiro -

https://www.pa.gov/form/governor/contact.html


Express your opinion to the PHMC HERE -





https://www.pa.gov/services/phmc/contact-the-pennsylvania-historical---museum-commission

[Raven123]

1. I applaud the effort of many of these protests

Pound the MAGA establishment. Make them attentive to the fact that resisters are everywhere.

[orangecrush]

2. We hold "Tall Ship" events here

Last edited Sun Jul 5, 2026, 12:52 PM - Edit history (1)

Sailing ships from all over the world come here.

Once the Niagara had a mock gun battle near Erie with a replica of a Canadian ship that was actually in the War of 1812.

They were firing cannon with powder but no cannon balls.

I felt the concussion from the shots from 2 miles away, it made me flinch.

Imagine being behind those cannon.

[wnylib]

6. I am an Erie native. Yes, the Niagara is BIG DEAL in Erie.

The central park near the downtown area and the bay is named after Perry.

Since Erie is predominantly Dem (despite Tom Ridge), maybe it's not surprising that the captain and crew did that. I love their willingness to use 8647, but wonder if they realized how strong the reaction would be.

[calimary]

18. How strong was the reaction?

Strong support or strong objection?

[wnylib]

20. Strong objection from a Republican state senator

whose complaints got the captain and some crew members fired.

State Senator Laughlin called it "violent" action although there was no violence involved.

[Farmer-Rick]

3. Insecure demented petty tyrants

Are the same everywhere.

If pedo Trump thinks this will stop the 86-47 meme, he is wrong yet again.

[LymphocyteLover]

4. Sounds like the captain and his crew were just doing their patriotic duty

[orangecrush]

5. And had their 1st amendment rights violated

Last edited Sun Jul 5, 2026, 10:55 AM - Edit history (1)

[wnylib]

7. Maybe they can use that to fight being fired.

But my guess is that they would be told that they represent the community so partisan slogans were not appropriate.

Not sure, but I think the Niagara flagship is owned by the city or state. Or maybe a historical society?

[orangecrush]

11. State historic society

Trump clown state senator Dan Laughlin is behind this.

I just emailed Josh Shapiro

[wnylib]

14. I looked up Laughlin. Just as I anticipated, his complaint

said that the partisan political message was not covered by free speech. He also called it an act of violence, although no violence was involved.

Apparently there are enough Rs in the suburbs and rural areas to get a R state Senator for the district. Or maybe not enough city voters turn out. Don't know. I haven't lived in Erie for decades and no longer have relatives there either.

[orangecrush]

15. Laughlin covers most of Erie county

In a deep blue district, I suspect he got in the same way as Kelly - gerrymandered.

[wnylib]

17. As I recall, there are some pretty conservative areas in the county, like

Waterford and rural areas around it. I would guess that a lot of Millcreek is Republican, but not ultra RW.

I lived in the city, west side, until my late teens when my parents moved to southern Millcreek. A few years later, I lived in northern Millcreek on West Lake Road.

After moving to Ohio and then NY state for my husband's job, I only got to Erie for holiday and vacation visits with relatives. Now that all of them have either moved away or passed away I haven't been there for a long time. So I'm not current what goes on there, except for occasional news items.

[orangecrush]

23. South of I90

Is banjo country.

[wnylib]

24. Yes, I could easily see that being the case.

[Mysterian]

26. Political speech is the most protected speech under the First Amendment

Interesting take from the elected republican imbecile.

[70sEraVet]

9. And staying true to the original mission of the ship --

To fight against a tyrannical (and very possibly insane) king!

[orangecrush]

12. Precisely

[Kid Berwyn]

8. Patriots

“We the People” govern, NOT an Traitor Conman Warmonger Pedophile.

[orangecrush]

13. A brave Captain and crew

?is=SZhRnU4L-NbK4XKr

[Kid Berwyn]

19. Very much appreciate Procul Harum

Thank you! I had never seen that video: Incredible footage that matches the song perfectly.

And nothing but respect for the United States Navy and all sailors -- crew, officers and owners.

My mom's favorite uncle served as a Captain in the US Merchant Marine during World War II. Perhaps the most analytical, calm, serious and yet fiery tempered man I ever knew. He skippered tankers hauling oil across the Atlantic. As an 11-year-old boy in 1968 or so, I had asked about his war time service. He said he had been most fortunate, his ships were never struck by a torpedo. However, in one nasty storm, he lost a sailor overboard. He told me then cried like a baby.

[orangecrush]

21. Thank you

And great song by Nantucket Sleighride!

The meaning of the groups name is to be pulled by a harpooned whale across icy waters.

Owen Coffin, a Nantucket sailor who was cannibalized in a lifeboat after a whale repeatedly rammed his ship, was the inspiration for "Moby Dick".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_Coffin

[struggle4progress]

10. We have met the enemy and ...

[ColoringFool]

16. "NIAGARA," like the FALLS; NOT "NIAGRA," like the PILL.

Why yes, I AM thisclose to a pedant. 📚📚📚 🧐

[orangecrush]

22. Thank you will fix

Appreciate it!

[republianmushroom]

25. CAPTAIN, CREW FIRED, hell, they should be given medals.

for signaling the truth.

[orangecrush]

27. A lot of people

Military and otherwise are sacrificing their jobs to resiist.

[Deep State Witch]

28. Perry Was a Big Deal In My Area

Where I grew up. Rt. 19 north was Perry Highway. Apparently the Commodore took the road that later became Rt. 19 north from Fort Pitt to Erie. We had Perrysville, Perryopolis, etc. My mom went to Perry High School in the city, and my dad was later a guidance counselor there. And yes, their mascot was the Commodore.

[orangecrush]

29. I have traveled Rt. 19 to Pittsburgh

It nears an end on a curve with a stunning view of the Pittsburgh skyline.

[Deep State Witch]

30. You Passed By My Old Neighborhood

Near the Community College of Allegheny County building in McCandless. It used to be Hill's Department Store. We used to hang out there when I was a kid, playing video games and eating popcorn and Icees.

[orangecrush]

31. Sounds like a blast

Great memories!