Welcome Aboard The CG Barque Eagle
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Click on chart for Eagle's current position
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550 miles southeast of Bermuda
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"We’ve sailed through the outer edge of the “Bermuda high,” a high-pressure weather system that on its periphery provides reliable winds. We've successfully ridden that outer band and now must leave it to continue to Bermuda."
All photos are credited: U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Officer Candidate Mark C. Dukti and PA2 A. R. Rask.
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29 August 2005
The Coast Guard Barque Eagle, homeported in New London, Conn.
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Captain's Log by OC Dan McQuate for Capt. E. J. Shaw
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The temperature is rising in Eagle engine room. This morning's sail stations doused all sail; all hands laid aloft to furl in a light, warm drizzle. We’ve sailed through the outer edge of the “Bermuda high,” a high-pressure weather system that on its periphery provides reliable winds. We've successfully ridden that outer band and now must leave it to continue to Bermuda. Between here and there the wind will remain light and fluky. So, now the engine is on line and we’re motoring along at “full speed,” making about 10 knots for the time being.
Late Friday evening, we altered course more towards the northwest and cut back on our speed to allow one of the developing tropical systems to pass us to the south and then west. We weren’t in any kind of danger, and this move ensured we stayed that way. The crew and OC’s who had not yet gone to the rack did an excellent job taking in some sail, getting into the rack finally around 11:30 p.m.
Morale remains high onboard. Over the past week we have shown movies on the waist multiple times and have plans to do this more over the next week. We also had our first fish call Saturday afternoon after holiday routine started. Although a number of OC’s and crewmembers partook, none had any luck. For the evening meal Saturday, the OC’s got their shot in the galley and made pizza for the crew, just as the operations department did last week.
As time passes, more and more OC’s believe they have had an experience with one of the ghosts of Eagle. As with most Coast Guard ships, there are stories of Eagle being haunted. The most popular ghost story onboard involves a young German sailor who fell from the rigging to his death prior to the United States acquiring Eagle from Germany after World War II. Whether it is an unexplained sound in the night, a hatch being propped open after someone swears they closed it, or creaking coming from various parts of the Barque, this is enough to keep some superstitious people on their toes.
Four days to Bermuda and the crew and OC’s are ready to get there. Most of the OC’s have completed the required personal qualification standards while crew continues to work toward qualifications on different watch stations. Upon arrival in Bermuda, Eagle will bid farewell to the OC’s and our Canadian Sea Cadet shipmates. A few crewmembers will also return to New London to do some work to prepare to welcome Eagle home. The rest of the crew will spend much-needed personal time on qualifications and departmental training, along with some packing, resting, and a watch here and there.
28 August 2005 by OC Kristen Byers
Officer Candidate Carl Breedlove belays the fore lift line.
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Fireman Janelle Brandon conducts daily boat checks onboard Eagle 1.
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Day 14 and only five more days and a few precious hours until the sight of precious land! What is the first thing I am going to do when we get to Bermuda? Run. I plan to take in the breathtaking sights during a 5 mile run. Eagle has been able to provide most of the comforts of
home with even a modest gym, but nothing compares to the endless stretches of land ashore as far as running is concerned. This trip has been quite an experience for me. On the 8 p.m. to midnight watch a few nights ago, in between the “heaves," "hos," and "back easies,” I was able to take in the most incredible celestial display I have ever encountered. It was almost surreal. Having attended Virginia Tech, which is located amongst limitless stretches of uninhabited farmland, I thought I had experienced excellent stargazing. I do have to say that I had never seen a truly star-filled sky until my experience on this ship.
Now that our second week is winding down, I have experienced most of the OC responsibilities onboard. I’ve learned that every job plays a key part in making Eagle successful. From the MAA force sorting trash, to the conning officer calling commands during sail stations, fulfilling these roles enables OC’s to learn what it is like to be underway and part of a team. This experience has definitely given me a taste of underway life, as well as what it will be like in the “real Coast Guard”!
28 August 2005 by OC Harry Carter
The view from the bowsprit does not disappoint anyone who makes the journey to the end of it.
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Officer Candidate Kristen Byers mans the helm.
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A few weeks ago, if you had asked me what I thought about sailing on the Eagle, I would have said something like, "I can't wait for it to start, just so it could be over sooner." After being onboard for more than two weeks, though, I can honestly say that it is not what I expected at all. I truly thought that it would be all work and no play, but because of our good fortune with the winds, we have had time to really relish the experience. I have learned an incredible amount
of information not only about sailing on Eagle, but the Coast Guard in general. The experience and knowledge of the crew, from the seamen to the Captain, has been invaluable to me. Sailing under the night sky and visiting the Canary Islands has been unforgettable and the entire experience is something I will treasure forever. Although it has not changed my mind about going afloat, I kind of feel like a have a better sense of the mentality it takes to be underway. The crew of the Eagle spends so much time underway representing the United States and being away from their family and friends that it's a little mind boggling. Because of this, they all have my utmost respect and admiration.
28 August 2005 by OC Alex Bernstein
Officer Candidate Harry Carter relaxes on the fantail while waiting for sail stations to be piped.
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My Eagle experience has been very interesting so far. I was a prior civilian with little knowledge about being underway. Getting to the Canary Islands was quite the adventure. While I do want to fly for a living, I have discovered that being the cargo in the back of a C-130 in not fun. Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, and sharing foot space with Lt. j. g. Weber and my other shipmates was an unpleasant experience because of the tight quarters and nine hours of cramming. The Canary Islands were a lot of fun to see, unfortunately 24 hours was not enough time to see everything. However, I like the idea of getting paid while being able to explore a foreign port.
(L to R) Officer Candidates Dixon Whitley and Dan Tavernier give Eagle her daily salt water wash down.
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When I first saw the Eagle and saw the 147-foot-tall masts I said to myself, "Okay, this looks interesting." Climbing the mast while in port went well; climbing the mast while underway is very different. I discovered when the boat rocks back and forth, the mast REALLY likes to sway. I now have this theory from my climbing experience. If my shipmates need me to climb, I will. But I know for a fact that I would take spinning a Cessna-152 at 8,000 feet over climbing any day.
Officer Candidate Matt Doyle takes in a sunset at the end of the bowsprit.
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I have never met a group of people who were so dedicated to their job as the crew onboard the Eagle. They do a fantastic job going out of their way to train the officer candidates. I have learned so much in the last two weeks. Who would have thought that we would have had a search and rescue case our first night underway? The great thing about the Coast Guard is what we train to do is implemented daily in SAR missions, drug interdictions, and other cases.
The foremast sails lie against the blue sky above the Atlantic.
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My daily collateral duty has been to obtain the weather information and do a weather brief. OC Koehler, OC Seymour, and I brief the Captain twice and the crew once daily on the weather. It has been a rewarding job because we are able to see the big decisions made--decisions like altering course to avoid foul weather. I am glad that I have had this experience. Even though I do not desire an underway billet, this experience has taught me a lot about the Coast Guard. I look forward to getting back to New London, receiving my orders, and becoming a commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Most importantly, it will be great to see my family, friends and my girlfriend of almost three years at my graduation.
28 August 2005 by OC Dave Corey
Officer Candidate Eli Ivey heaves around on a clewline.
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Various pieces of line lay on the deck during a deck force project.
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Underway! Sailing aboard America's Tall Ship has been enlightening. After being on active duty in the Navy for six years, it is definitely a unique experience to be sailing across the Atlantic on an antique built in 1936. There's nothing better than lying on the wooden decks to look up at the square sails catching a warm 80 degree Fahrenheit breeze as the Barque crosses the Atlantic at a steady 6 knots. It's been nice to take a break from the rigorous schedule of OCS back in New London, Conn. Time, along with the forward progress of the Eagle, has been at a peaceful pace. The scenery is beautiful, the weather has been great, and the sunsets over the open ocean are priceless. I can't wait to get back and graduate at the end of September, but this has been an experience that I will never forget.
Cheers from the Atlantic to all my family and friends back home.
28 August 2005 by OC Christina Jones
Officer Candidate Simone Mausz relaxes on the mess deck while watching her personal DVD player.
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It has been approximately two weeks since I boarded the Coast Guard's pride and joy, Barque Eagle. I must say, every moment from the port call in Tenerife to standing watch to mess attending has been a wonderfully challenging experience. With only five days left at sea (until beautiful Bermuda), I've had lots of time to reflect on the experience thus far. First off, I consider myself to be extremely blessed. I never in my life imagined that I would be on America's Tall Ship sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, waking up every morning surrounded by 360 degrees of what seems to be endless ocean. It is a great feeling, especially when you watch the sun's rays beaming down on the ocean's waves.
Officer Candidate Katrina Moore shows off one of the pizzas she made during pizza night.
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Eagle has been an excellent training environment. I've been able to put into practice everything I've learned in OCS classes and while standing officer of the day duty back at New London. More than just a learning experience, it has also been a very humbling experience especially in regards to mess cooking and trash detail. As a future junior officer, this experience has opened my eyes to the importance of knowing your people, their jobs, and having a great appreciation for both. The highlight of the trip has been serving as part of the navigational brief team, quartermaster of the watch, and conning watch. I learned a vast amount of information, but more so, I was able to practice piloting. This has prepared me for my exam when I get back.
Lastly, the crew has been amazing from the Captain down to the non-rates. Everyone gives 100% of themselves to aid us in our training. You couldn't find a better crew. I've had a great time aboard the Eagle. I would not trade this experience for anything.
Crew members form up for morning muster, when account-ability is taken and the plan of the day is passed.
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Officer Candidate Chris Rue tries his luck during fish call.
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Officer Candidate Joel Salgado plots a fix while serving as the break-in quarter-master of the watch.
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(L to R) Officer Candidates Jeff Barnum and Wes Geyer heave around on the fore upper brace.
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(L to R) Chief Warrant Officer Ray Sisk and Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Wisener converse on the bridge.
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Officer Candidate Scott Troutman stays in shape while underway by doing pushups on the waist.
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