Lewiston, N.Y.-Lewiston Landing is the permanent home for a restored tall ship, which takes visitors on a trip back in time.

With a name like the ‘Black Pearl,’ many visitors may conjure up visions Disney inspired pirate ships, but in Lewiston, the 73-foot long, 63-foot tall sailing vessel does not simply transport visitors along the lower Niagara River, but back in time.

The ship travels from the Village of Lewiston along the Niagara County Shoreline to the Village of Youngstown and into Lake Ontario, this route is one that is full of history, which dates back hundreds of years.

“As you sail the Lower Niagara River, you'll be in a time machine taking you back in history -- you'll see where slaves escaped to Canada, where the first battle of the War of 1812 was fought, where French explorers first landed to trade with the native Americans, and where Niagara Falls started 12,000 years ago,” the Lewiston Historical Society website said.

The Black Pearl was built in 1948 in Newport, R.I., before it was sold to the owner of the South Street Seaport in New York City, where it sat docked throughout the 1970’s, when it became the flagship vessel for the American Sail Training Association.

After falling into disrepair the majestic 13-sail ship, was purchased in 2008 by Nicholas and Amanda Alexander and they have since refurbished the ship and now offer daily cruises from Lewiston Landing.

The Black Pearl offers cruises in the following time slots:

Tuesday (one hour), 6 p.m.
Friday (three-hour) 5:45 p.m.
Saturday (one-hour) noon, 1:30 p.m. 3 p.m. (Three Hour) 6 p.m.
Sunday (one-hour) noon, 1:30 p.m.. (Three Hour) 3 p.m.

One-hour cruises are $35 and three-hour cruises are $75. You can reserve the Black Pearl by appointment for private charter cruises (2 hour min.) for $300 per hour. Reservations must be made in advance with the Lewiston Historical Society at 1.877.754.1812.

For more information visit Historic Lewiston.

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