Fred's Place - The Place To Meet Old Coast Guard Shipmates

Welcome Aboard The CG Barque Eagle

Click on chart for Eagle's current position

1in the Solent off Portsmouth, England

We join Eagle as she sits at anchor just outside of Portsmouth England. Surrounded by 115 vessels all participating in the 2005 International Festival of the Sea. The 2005 IFOS is part of the country’s celebrations to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

All photos are credited: U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer Second Class Andrea Rask.

28 June 2005

The Coast Guard Barque Eagle, homeported in New London, Conn.

Captain's Log by 1/c Eric Majeska for Capt. E. J. Shaw

On Sunday, 26 June, Eagle set all sails for the first time this summer. A summer record of 14 knots was achieved before Eagle's crew and cadets had to tack to head back in the direction of Portsmouth. Shortly after we completed our first successful tack of the summer, all hands doused sail and laid up and out to sea furl. It was a full day of sailing for the cadets and crew, with three sail stations before the day's end. Everyone slept well in their racks that night.

Following a highly complex precision anchorage on Sunday evening, Eagle is now anchored just outside of Portsmouth and is taking part in writing history. In the calm Solent waters, Eagle is surrounded by a plethora of ships of new and old, coming in different, shapes, sizes, and nationalities to participate in the 2005 International Festival of the Sea. The 2005 IFOS is part of the country’s celebrations to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, with the festival spreading over more than 300 acres and attracting a quarter of a million people. In all, 41 countries are being represented by 166 ships, including 35 warships and 36 tall ships, together with merchant ships, other government vessels, and hundreds of classic sailing craft. We have even sighted two of Eagle's sister ships--the Sagres II of Portugal and the Gorch Fock of Germany. Despite everyone's fatigue at the end of these recent days, many have been staying up and even climbing to the royals to catch a glimpse of the beautiful sunsets going down behind tall masts and colossal warships.

Many preparations are being made for the International Fleet Review today, during which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by her family, will review the ships, lined up in ranks. The crew has been practicing manning harbor parade for the ceremony, which entails cadets and crew standing in the shrouds, on top of the yards, and lining the side of the ship as the Queen passes by. A practice run of this was performed yesterday, when sailors on all the surrounding ships could be seen lining the rails also.

Tomorrow, Eagle will also be visited by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Thomas H. Collins. All are looking forward to meeting him and having a short group discussion with him before his departure.

Only one day remains until the third class cadets experience their second European port call. There is a great deal of excitement in the air as Eagle is sitting in sight of land. Tomorrow evening, Eagle will moor (carefully) outboard of the Italian-flagged Amerigo Vespucci. In Portsmouth awaits a large ship festival that all of the different crews will be attending. Some cadets and crewmembers are planning trips to London or the popular local Isle of Wight, boasting miles of hiking trails, beaches, and intriguing shoreline. Others will simply remain in Portsmouth for the many sights and festivities that are being held in the local area. Whatever their plans are, much excitement, as well as a chance to relax after a long workweek, lies ahead in Portsmouth.

28 June 2005 by 3/c Samantha Gordon

Auxiliarist Richard Asaro gives training about the history of the Battle of Trafalgar to all hands on the waist.

Third class cadets man the shrouds, practicing for the Queen's Fleet Review.

Two days ago we anchored in the Solent, just outside of Portsmouth. Already there were several other tall ships, aircraft carriers, and warships from many countries. We are all here for the International Fleet Review and the International Festival of the Sea which celebrates the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. Yesterday, we spent all waking hours making EAGLE look good. It took the whole crew and all the cadets to harbor furl every sail. Harbor furling is when we climb up into the rigging and crowd as many people as possible onto the yardarms. From there, everyone on the yard "takes a bite” (of sail) and brings it up neatly on top, like folding a piece of paper into a fan. It sounds easy, but when you are standing on a small footrope, trusting a clip to hold you and heaving up a heavy sail, it really is not. However, feeling the wind all around you and leaning almost completely over the sail to grab the next “bite” is a thrill one just has to experience to understand.

Crew and cadets work together to harbor furl all sails while at anchor before the Queen's International Fleet Review.

Yesterday, we also practiced for the Queen’s Fleet Review. All crew and cadets stood on one side of the ship and even sent people up into the shrouds to stand on the yardarms. The actual review is taking place later today. The Royal Fleet is already lined up and just waiting for the Queen to come through.

Seaman Rebekah May and other crew members "man the rail" on the boat deck to pass honors to the Columbian tall ship Gloria.

As for the rest of the ships from about every country one could think of, we are also waiting to meet with one another. There are two other American ships here with us, the USS Saipan and the Pride of Baltimore (a small schooner). Just yesterday we exchanged a few of the crew with the Saipan and got to see a couple of their officers on board EAGLE. Also a lucky duo (3/c Chris Hunt and 3/c Tony Gregg) get to actually go on exchange with the Columbian tall ship, Gloria. For the rest of the summer, those two will spend it onboard the Gloria and EAGLE will receive two Columbian cadets. I can speak for mizzen 2, who will surely miss Tony, but we will gladly welcome another into the “international division” with 3/c Donatas Siaudinis from Lithuania, and 3/c Mohamed Ben Salem from Tunisia.

27 June 2005 by Joseph DeLauter

Eagle crew members hoist Eagle's large National Ensign while entering the Solent to anchor near the Isle of Wight.

Cadets man the yardarms for the first time in just under a decade.

Today we woke up at the same time as always, 6:30 a.m. Right after breakfast was sail stations and harbor furling. I went to the topgallant, which was the highest I have ever been. Before, the highest for me was the course, the first sail up. Next was duty for two hours. We had the anchor watch. During those two hours we watched many foreign ships arrive in the harbor. After watch was lunch, which was long in coming because the line was so long. Next we had quarters followed by practice for the Queen’s review. It was interesting to see all the ships around us practicing at the same time. Cadet training afternoon was scheduled after the practice. We had division training time, during which we shined shoes in preparation of the Queen’s review. Next was dinner with movie night to follow. "Master and Commander" was shown during movie night.

27 June 2005 by 3/c Katie Degler and 3/c Molly Godden

Crew and cadets haul around on the main braces during Eagle's tacking evolution.

Tall ships and warships sit at anchor as the sun sets the evening before the Queen's Review.

On Sunday, we anchored a few miles offshore of Portsmouth, England, planning to moor a few days later at the Naval Base in Portsmouth. While on anchor watch the next day, the temptation to swim to land was overpowered by our duty to stand watch and note any important activity. There was a lot of activity in the harbor while we harbor furled the sails. We observed many pleasure craft and rubber-hulled inflatables coming close to watch and send their best regards. Following the busy morning onboard, the ship’s company spent the afternoon practicing for the Queen’s review. 3/c Godden was positioned on the boat deck, while I had the honor of manning the shrouds. In between practices, we were both tempted to risk breaking out our swimsuits because it was so sunny and warm. However, following suit with the rest of our Coastie counterparts we will be sporting some nice operational dress uniform (ODU) tan lines. Tomorrow we get to start our day with the 4 to 8 a.m. watch on deck. Katie is excited about giving her parents a tour of EAGLE and exploring the town of Portsmouth. Molly is looking forward to touring the other vessels in port for the festival. London is another destination on our list of places to tour.

27 June 2005 by Joshua Gaidos

Boatswain's Mate Third Class Leland Currier harbor furls the main upper sail.

Last night was our first night at anchor outside of Portsmouth. The only thing more impressive than seeing a Royal Navy destroyer close-up perform a tight 180 degree turn earlier that day was seeing the lit up line of tall ships and warships stretching to the horizon at sunset. It gave just a sampling of the seamanship we would begin to witness.

Boatswain's Mate First Class Thomas Sullivan harbor furls the headsails.

Today, EAGLE harbor furled her sails and dressed up to put on a show. She’s putting on years, but a good furling job and never dull shining makes her the belle of the ball surrounded by brutish gray warships. And the warships kept coming in a line stacked out to the horizon.

Coming in and anchoring near us are vessels of every description: French and British submarines, an American amphibious assault carrier, carriers from Spain and Britain, and destroyers from South Korea, Colombia, Portugal, and Britain. Tall ships, in their stately majesty, arrive at all hours and steal the show each time. Ships and barques, brigs, topsail schooners and three-masted schooners are placed all around us. The tall ships, unlike their modern equivalents, carry graceful curves and lines that hold the eye. In only one day at anchor, we have found ourselves surrounded by a chaotic mass of vessels and busy with our own duties.

Up and coming plans include rendering honors to the Queen of England and greeting the Commandant of the Coast Guard the following day. In our preparations for the Queen, every vessel manned their side rails to practice. From the shrouds, it was an impressive sight. When the Queen comes around herself, we’ll put on an even greater spectacle that will be a wonder to see.

27 June 2005 by 3/c Joellen Arons

3/c Tony Gregg climbs the shrouds to help harbor furl to royal.

The radar picture during Eagle's tack looks a wee bit crowded, to say the least.

I woke up today to a warm Sunday for the first time in weeks, yet I was still tired. We are at anchor in Portsmouth, England during a tall ships festival. There are tons of ships around us from small boats to 500-foot war carriers. There are jets and planes flying circles and formations all around us. This morning we “harbor furled” our sails, in other words made them look really nice. It took us about two hours and I had never been in the rigging that long. We hustled through lunch and then spent the afternoon practicing for rendering honors to the Queen. We all stood at attention in the hot sun as five ships passed by. Everybody is excited to go into England and look around after a long stretch underway. However, I will be spending time serving duty on the ship. Overall, Eagle has been a learning experience for me and my friends.

27 June 2005 by Sam Heuler

A view from the bowsprit as Eagle sails full and by south of English shores.

Harbor furling is an all hands evolution in order to get it done in a reasonable amount of time

Here we are again, another crazy day onboard the Barque. Our first day at anchor and the entire morning was spent harbor furling the square sails. It is an involved and difficult process, made all the more challenging by the fact that the course, topgallant, and royal sails are all new and as stiff as a sheet of cardboard. Standing on a thin line a hundred feet off the ground while trying to haul in a sail as neatly as possible has a way of putting a little fear back into you of going aloft. The rest of the day flew by with watch in the engine room and practice runs for the review for the queen tomorrow. We were treated to a gorgeous sunset tonight over Portsmouth harbor with a fire-orange sun sinking down under the clouds while our ship was surrounded by 165 other ships, including aircraft carriers, marine troop transports, frigates, and other tall ships.