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The weather started off rough for the Eagle right after getting underway. Gray skies and rough seas were quickly upon us and cadets slowly began to accumulate hanging over the leeward rail. It was Mexican Monday for lunch, and the fish might have ended up enjoying that as much as some of the cadets did. But the day continued on with emergency drills such as abandon ship and general emergency, just to keep cadets and crew prepared. While the winds have blown strong and cold, they just haven't been in the right direction and we've only set the topmast staysails. Tuesday morning consisted of training the cadets on the principles of square-rigger sailing. Drowsy from the sea-sickness pills or with hazy vision from the sea sickness patch, some struggled more than others to retain the mysteries of Bernoulli's principle. But plenty more opportunities to understand the Barque lie ahead on the horizon. The cadets are spending much of their free time learning the many lines and pins on Eagle. They can be seen stumbling around the deck with their heads towards the sky trying to follow a single strand of the web of lines above them. Canada is not far away, and the cadets must know all the lines on their mast by the first port call. By Germany, they must know all the lines on the ship. As the gray sky fades to black, cadets scatter throughout the ship. Some bundle up to stand lookout and helm watch, others head to the mess deck to watch a movie, and of course some head to their racks early to prepare for their busy days to follow and dream of Eastern shores. 11 May 2005 by 4/c Matt Borger
As we leave the weather is somewhat gloomy. Hazy, about 50 degrees, light wind, but as we make it into the ocean from Long Island Sound the weather picks up a little, not too strong…but enough to cause our first seasick casualty. I think Mexican Monday food might not have helped. The Captain gave a very welcoming speech before sail stations were called, and informed us that we would not be crossing the Arctic Circle. This made me sad, but others happy.
Evening sail stations were short. We only put the topmast staysails up to stop the roll. Tomorrow, though, more sails should go up. By the evening when I went on watch, from 2000-2400, the group of seasick cadets had grown smaller, which is very good. On watch I had to tighten the staysails to keep them from luffing. When we changed course it became increasingly difficult to keep warm, even though I was wearing under armor, a t-shirt, sweatshirt, fleece, and a rain jacket which kept me nice and warm and dry. I got off duty at 2345, brushed my teeth, and was rocked to sleep by the pitching of the ship. It was a long day, but a good day, with mixed emotions. But I think this will turn out to be a great adventure. 11 May 2005 by 4/c Katie Ustler
11 May 2005 by 4/c Tori Lusardi
I got such a good sleep last night with the rocking of the ship that it is hard to believe that I am already exhausted at 2000. Today we learned a lot. We had sail training. I really tried to pay attention so that I could know what’s actually going on when we are hauling on lines. I took a lot of it in and after discovering all of the lines and what they do for each sail, it blows my mind that someone could have created Eagle and make all the lines and sails work together to cross the Atlantic. Now that I know the foremast pin rails and the sail structures, Eagle makes a little more sense. After this training was lunch. I didn’t feel like eating a whole lot because I was feeling queasy, but at least I wasn’t puking like some people were. Having helm and lookout was my favorite watch last year on Eagle and now I remember why. I learned how to steer the ship. It is more difficult than I thought because you never stay straight on course with the waves and current and winds. Concentrating on the helm kept my mind off feeling sick. Going to the bow lookout was a blast. We were in some rough seas so it was like a roller coaster up there. Unfortunately, the fun of getting
So then I went to dinner and warmed up a bit. Oh yes, it was freezing out! Even with five layers and two pairs of pants, I was shaking. When 4/c DeCarol and 4/c Haylay came into the berthing area, they looked like death and we started to talk about how this trip is only going to get colder and worse seas. After a short sulking period we all cheered up with a little music and a dance party! Imagine 10 girls dancing to Britney Spears in a five square-foot space. It was a lot of fun and definitely boosted our morale. As did our two-minute warm showers! After the party got secured by HS1 and FS1, it was down time, so now I am watching Blade on the mess deck and ready to go to bed for another adventurous day at sea tomorrow. I’m glad we are underway and on our path to Europe.
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The Coast Guard Barque Eagle, homeported in New London, Conn.
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