County health officials in Erie, Pennsylvania say that Salmonella was the pathogen that sickened 26 of 42 crew members aboard the U.S. Brig Niagara, a historic sailing ship based on Lake Erie, according to this report:
Health department officials say it’s unclear how the ship’s crew contracted the bacteria, which often is found in spoiled or undercooked food.The sickness forced the ship to cancel two fundraising events over the weekend and to cut short a visit to a tall ships festival in Cleveland.
The crew has reportedly recovered, however, and set sail for a new tour of the Great Lakes. The U.S. Niagara is a replica of a ship used in the defeat of British forces in the War of 1812. There do not currently appear to be any reports of non-crew members falling ill.