Welcome Aboard The CG Barque Eagle
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Click on chart for Eagle's current position
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294 miles northeast of Madeira
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We join Eagle as she leaves Rota, Spain enroute to the main island of Madeira, Portugal. Stiff wind and 13 foot swells produce a line-up at the rail. Soda and crackers help those experencing sea sickness - many for the first time. Ahoy! Admiral Van Sice, Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, who will join us for this leg.
All photos are credited: U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer Second Class Andrea Rask.
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02 August 2005
The Coast Guard Barque Eagle, homeported in New London, Conn.
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Captain's Log by 2/c Kelly Haupt for Capt. E. J. Shaw
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It was hard to say goodbye to Spain as we pulled out on a beautiful sunny day from the naval base in Rota on Monday. But, our new fourth-class cadets on board were anxious to get underway so out to sea we went. Eagle also welcomed on several new guests, including several crew and cadets' family members, as well as Admiral Van Sice, the Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, who will sail with us for a week to the island of Madeira, Portugal.
The pilot helping Eagle out of the small harbor had actually been a pilot for Eagle before, as a U. S. Navy pilot stationed in Groton, Conn. So, this was not his first encounter with Eagle. Two tugs assisted Eagle as we left. However, because both tugs spoke only Spanish, communication was little interesting for those non-Spanish speakers in Eagle's bridge. Luckily, Eagle's Operations Officer Lt. Fleming speaks Spanish fluently, so we had nothing to fear.
During the first day at sea on Monday, we were hoping for better winds, since we needed an average of 6.3 knots to arrive in port on time. For the four and a half days, we will be traveling about 550 nautical miles from Rota, Spain, to the main island of Madeira, Portugal.
Ending the first day underway, the seas and winds were picking up, making sleeping difficult for many of those up forward. Above deck for those on watch, waves crashed over beams and splashed those on the forecastle and waist.
Today, winds and waves increased to 25 knots and 13-foot swells. Crew, swabs, and cadre could be seen helping sick swabs by grabbing safety belts and PFDs, plus the much-needed glass of water and crackers, while their shipmates did their best to maintain dignity while heaving their stomachs overboard. Luckily, sail stations were called and sails were set through the uppers, stabilizing Eagle a bit more, easing many sea sick stomachs.
To encourage greater knowledge of Eagle seamanship and sailing, the crew conducted sail trainings on every mast for the cadets this morning. Throughout the midday, swabs were given an introduction to rescue and survival skills by the crew.
In addition to the daily sail stations and training they provide for the cadets, engineering and deck department crew members continue to work all hours of the day to keep Eagle in top shape and to keep all the equipment operational. Daily, they perform preventive maintenance on a majority of the safety climbing belts so that the cadets will always have fresh, safe equipment. The deck force also continually works in the rigging to maintain the life of the stays, shrouds and other standing and running rigging. For being underway a long nine months out of the year, the crew's attitude and performance remains stellar throughout the ship.
After today's evening sail stations, the day will be officially over, and the crew and cadets will finally rest for the next day, all save the night watch standers. After a day of seeing first hand the power and strength of the open ocean, the swabs on board deserve a good night of sleep.
1 August 2005 by Swab Meagan Snyder
The Admiral's pennant and National Ensign fly in the bright sun with the main upper and lower topsails and the main topmast staysail all set.
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(L to R) Chief Machinery Technician Michael Dickerson and Machinery Technician 2nd Class Steven Rathbun get ready to refuel Eagle on the pier while in port at Rota, Spain.
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Today is the first day we are underway on the Eagle. It is a beautiful ship equipped with about 200 lines, which I have the least clue to their purpose except they all deal with sailing. After spending two days in Rota, Spain, we learned how to take in lines, make up tugs, and were assisted out of the naval base by two Spanish tugboats. After stowing the mooring lines, I proceeded to scrub the deck and now it sparkles. Yesterday we learned how to climb in the rigging and basic line handling skills. Today we went through man overboard drills, abandoning ship, avast, and all different types of general emergencies. Eagle is completely different from Chase Hall; we are allowed to relax and look around, yet we still maintain a respectful atmosphere. Our duties include watch and wardroom help. Tonight I have watch from 8 p.m. to midnight as helm and lookout. The compartments on Eagle are about the same size as my room at home, but instead of just me there are 15 other people. The cadre are very nice and are trying to make sure we have the best experience possible throughout the week. The crew is fantastic! There is a ton of experience onboard, of which they are teaching us a lot. I am getting to know my classmates under less stressful conditions and I am excited to spend time with them. I definitely want to climb to the royal, learn about the different lines, and get a little salt in my blood.
1 August 2005 by CPO2 Anne M. Phillips ~ Canadian Coast Guard, Manitoba, Canada
Seaman Aaron Brown climbs to the cross trees on the foremast during morning sail stations.
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(L to R) Electrian's Mate 3rd Class Robert Kinman, Seaman Jeremy Underwood and Fireman Janelle Brandon walk away with the upper topsail halyard, lifting more than 3,500 pounds of yardarm during sail stations.
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My first week aboard Eagle is now complete, and the only way to describe my adventures onboard so far is amazing! I spent this past weekend in Rota, Spain, taking in many of the local flavors and attractions. After being joined by a new group of swabs, parents, and guests, I realize how much more I have learned in just one week aboard. Last week, I found myself learning with the swabs about basic line handling and Eagle seamanship; however, this week, I know more and can even help out others when they have questions. To be honest, many of the terms, ranks, and procedures are still foreign to me. But at the same time, I am learning so much each and every day I am on board, not just about the Coast Guard but about the United States as well. Overall, I am so grateful for this opportunity to sail on Eagle for six weeks, and with one week behind me, all is well. I am headed full steam to face the adventures of tomorrow.
1 August 2005 by CPO Iona Madularu, Canadian Coast Guard, New Westminster, British Columbia
The main mast's crew, class of 2007 cadre and class of 2009 swabs all lay to the yardarms to harbor furl as Eagle makes preparations to arrive in Rota, Spain.
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(L to R) Rear Adm. James Van Sice, Superin-tendent of the Coast Guard Academy, and Bos'n Ray Sisk gather on the bridge while transiting outbound from Rota, Spain.
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My experience so far on Eagle has been amazing and I hate to use the clichés, but this is truly is the adventure of a lifetime, as long as I keep taking advantage of every opportunity offered. Known as the “Canadian Sea Cadet,” I am a guest onboard. My participation in each and every tasks is welcomed and encouraged. It was hard at first to realize I was finally here after looking forward to this for so long. It hit home for me on the second day, when a squall blew in, and I volunteered to climb up into the rigging. There I was, climbing high on the foremast on America’s Tall Ship to the fore royal sail while clipped into a yardarm. I have never felt that kind of exhilaration before--I truly have arrived! Since then, the time has flown by. I have stood watches, learned about sailing and ship navigation, and explored the beauty of exotic foreign ports such as Lisbon, Portugal, and Rota, Spain. Watching and participating in Coast Guard training has truly been an eye-opener for myself. The cadets and crew are so dedicated to their jobs, have such an extreme sense of loyalty to each other, and yet they welcome guests, making them feel a part of the group. This past week on Eagle has already made this the summer of my life. I can hardly imagine what else I will experience in the next five weeks.
1 August 2005 by Swab Taylor Gruver
X-Ray Company swabs from the class of 2009 all gather for a class photo before departing Eagle and returning to the Coast Guard Academy to finish swab summer.
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Rear Adm. James Van Sice witnesses the first sail stations conducted with Yankee Company on board Eagle.
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On Saturday, July 30, I arrived in Rota, Spain, to sail on Eagle for the first time. It is completely different than what I had expected. Everything is extremely tightly packed together, including the sleeping quarters. I have to squeeze in and out of my rack, making for an interesting event to go to sleep. Thank goodness nobody snores! I had my first watch from 8 p.m. to midnight, when I was able to take down the national ensign at sunset. It was such an honor and I felt blessed to be in a different country representing the United States. I participated in the school-of-the-ship training, where I climbed the rigging. It was so fun. We were finally granted liberty in the afternoon, giving me a chance to explore the huge military base in Rota, Spain. I had my first taste of Spanish food and walked all around the beautiful city of Rota! When I came back to the ship, we watched "Pirates of the Caribbean," which really got me in the salty, sailing mood for this week! The movie definitely fits an experience that I am looking for. It is relaxing to have time to myself and to take a break from the walls of the Academy. I think that this experience will be refreshing and I can go back to the Academy with the energy to finish my last week of swab summer!
1 August 2005 by Swab Nathaniel Dufresne
Seaman Jacob Latour stands ready to throw a heaving line to transfer Eagle's mooring lines to the pier side.
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Chaplain Captain Stephen Rock conducts a Catholic Mass on the fantail.
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The Eagle experience is one that I will value for the rest of my life. It is a journey that I have been looking forward to ever since I toured the ship two years ago. I have learned a tremendous amount already, and we’ve only been underway for two days. I am very excited to get the barque under full sail. Compared to Chase Hall, I believe that it was much easier to learn valuable information about seamanship because of the more relaxed environment here. So far, Eagle has been everything that I could imagine and so much more. I believe that Eagle is showing us the values of teamwork, like when we do things like raising the yards--a task that could not be accomplished without everyone helping. Eagle has been one of the most valuable experiences of my life, and I will treasure it for all of my life.
Machinery Technician 1st Class Brian Hennessy helps a swab from Yankee Company set sail for the first time.
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(L to R) Seaman Keely Dobbs and Seaman Holly Cordero both stand on the upper topsail ready to harbor furl.
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Swab Jessica Beazley and Swab Kirk Kalmbacher haul on the fore lower and upper braces for a starboard tack during sail stations.
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(R to L) Seaman Scott Fabian and Swab Brian Field stand at the helm during the 8 a.m. to noon watch.
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(L to R) Swab Matthew Poore and 2/c Leo Lake take a walk away with the upper topsail halyard.
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Swab Chistopher Quatroche and fellow classmates haul on the upper and lower peak outhaul during their first ever sail stations onboard Eagle.
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Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Edward Hubbard climbs the shrouds during the first sails stations that Yankee Company conducts.
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Yeoman 1st Class Mark Knapp helps turn the helm outbound from Rota, Spain.
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