Welcome Aboard The CG Barque Eagle
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31 August 05
150 miles southeast of Bermuda
"Eagle continues its home stretch towards Bermuda under power, after Monday morning sail stations were set to douse and furl all sails."
All photos are credited: U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Officer Candidate Mark C. Dukti and PA2 A. R. Rask.
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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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Eagle continues its home stretch towards Bermuda under power, after Monday morning sail stations were set to douse and furl all sails. The plan at the moment is to arrive off the coast of Bermuda on Thursday and anchor offshore to prepare to pull into port on Friday morning. As Eagle’s secondary mission is representation, we always ensure she is looking as good as possible before pulling into any port. So, while at anchor, everything will be polished and the sails will be harbor furled-for the last time this summer.
In the last couple of days underway, the ship is busy with activity. The deck force is replacing baggy wrinkle, used to prevent chafing of the sails against standing metal rigging, with the OC’s assisting by making the baggy wrinkle while standing watch on deck. Wednesday afternoon will hold Square-Rigger Olympics, followed by another pizza night, prepared by the wardroom officers. During afternoon quarters, all hands will also take part in a rare occasion-a burial at sea of a Coast Guard Academy Alumnus.
Meanwhile, the OC’s eagerly await their orders to find out where they will be stationed after they graduate from OCS in just four short weeks. Although they are scheduled to receive their orders on September 6, the many evenings underway are spent trying to come up with a way to find out sooner. While the OC’s wait for this event and the whirlwind that is sure to follow to prepare for graduation and the transfer, the crew is busy making in-port plans to see family and friends, get a car or some household goods out of storage, and take some much-needed, and well-deserved, time off.
It’s been a long summer for everyone on board for the whole deployment. In the beginning, it was cold and all hands were wearing layers upon layers of clothing just to keep from freezing. We faced some rough weather, but also had many days of beautiful sunsets and sunrises that nobody could ever forget. We saw 11 foreign ports, sailed nearly 13,000 nautical miles so far, hosted almost 30,000 visitors during public tour hours, and trained 641 cadets, OC’s, exchange cadets from other military academies, naval sea cadets, and more. Eagle has accomplished her summer mission. To all the family, friends, tall ship fans, media, and other supporters back home and all around the world, we are grateful for your support and encouragement over these last four months.
30 August 2005 by OC Mike Tarunitza
Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Thomas Sullivan sea furls the inner jib.
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Commanding Officer Captain Eric Shaw takes a break on the bridge.
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Today started out early, as I had the midnight to 4 a.m. watch on deck. This watch entails heaving on lines and moving, dousing or rigging the sails onboard as needed. After completing the watch, my watch section went back to the rack. The midnight to 4 a.m. watch is authorized "late racks," which means that we get to sleep in an extra couple hours to make up for the sleep we missed on watch. After getting up and going through the standard morning routine, I got to have lunch in the wardroom with the officers. It is a much more formal setting than eating in the galley. After lunch, I participated in a class alpha fire drill. Tonight should be fairly uneventful compared to my busy day. I have watch again from 8 p.m. to midnight. This watch will be the operations watch as opposed to the watch on deck I stood this morning. I could serve as the conning officer, the quartermaster of the watch, or as helm and lookout. On helm and lookout duty, we are able to switch out positions every hour. This should bring the end of another great Coast Guard day on Eagle.
30 August 2005 by OC Scott Troutman
(L to R) Officer Candidates Dan McQuate and Eli Ivey heave around on the main topgallant bunt-leechline and buntline.
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The best way I can describe my experience on USCG Barque Eagle is to categorize my likes and dislikes, look back on the challenges I faced, and review what aspects I found interesting. I liked the scenery of the middle Atlantic Ocean. The ocean water and the sky are clean and refreshing. It is nice to see clear blue water without any sign of pollution or trash. Moreover, it's nice to observe the stars covering the sky in a smogless atmosphere. It makes you realize all the damages that can be done by the disturbance of humans in the environment.
Officer candidates and crew-members climb the main mast to sea furl the sails after dousing them.
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I don't like being stuck on a 295-foot vessel going extremely slow. My Coast Guard career has been in the aviation field for the most part as an aviation survival technician. Therefore, it has been difficult to adjust to the pace of life and the shipboard culture. It is also hard for me to get into my normal workout routine without having the ability to run, swim, or access to a fully stocked gym. I do not resent this situation, but it has been a little uncomfortable adjusting (Ed. Note: Welcome to our world!).
Fireman Keely Dobbs prepares to sea furl a sail during sail stations.
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For me, there is no greater challenge on the Eagle than climbing her masts. The masts reach very high and therefore require a lot of personal trust and confidence during climbing evolutions. One slip, and it could be bad news. But this experience helps to build confidence and character. I thought that I was a hotshot rescue swimmer coming into this, but climbing the masts is definitely a humbling experience.
Machinery Technician 1st Class Brian Hennessy checks the engine controls while conducting a round in the engine room.
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Additionally, I found the conducting of navigational procedures on the Eagle to be interesting. Originally, I never liked shipboard navigation, but once I started practicing and gaining a better understanding of how things came together, I found myself becoming more interested and practicing navigation techniques more often. I am building up my confidence in this area. It is a newly acquired skill that I would like to develop further.
In conclusion, my experience on the Eagle has been well rounded. I am more mindful of the environment around us all, and what is possible without the interference of human tampering. Also, I have adjusted to things that I dislike or find discomforting, I have faced new challenges, and I have discovered new interests. Overall, my Eagle experience has given me new skills, built my confidence, and has humbled me, building my character. Eagle has definitely been a positive experience that I will not soon forget.
28 August 2005 by OC Ronnie Wright
(L to R) Officer Candidates Collin Turner, Dan McQuate, and Gerard Wenk harbor furl the mizzen staysail.
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It's 2 a.m. in the morning and I can't help but notice the brightly lit moon standing alone in the sky, blanketed by a seemingly endless number of stars. I realize that a view of this clarity can only be achieved in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. However, my moment of scenic pleasure is short-lived with the discovery of an unstable low-pressure system carrying rough seas and unpredictable winds. Within 15 minutes the brightly lit moon and stars are now blocked by towering cumulus clouds causing a dramatic decrease in visibility and introducing flashes of lightening and heavy rain. Serving as quartermaster of the watch, I scramble to calculate the true wind, determine the ship’s location, and provide supplemental weather information to the officer of the deck. This will assist him in making the appropriate decisions regarding evasive action, sail trimming, and the assurance of the safety of our shipmates sleeping down below in their racks.
Officer Candidate Wes Geyer helps to sea furl a sail during sail stations.
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Upon being relieved of my watch a few hours later, I can't help but feel a sense of accomplishment in doing my part to ensure the safe arrival of the Eagle and its passengers to our designated port in Bermuda. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to serve underway and gain the confidence that I will need in the event of any future underway assignments. I will be able to quickly acclimate, now equipped with a strong respect for the sea.
Officer Candidate Ron Wright pauses in front of the main diesel engine during a round of the engine room.
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Officer candidates and crew-members sea furl the sails on the mainmast after dousing them.
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The crew runs small boat drills to ensure they are proficient in their skills.
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Officer Candidate Brandon Munsell makes up the main leechline.
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Officer Candidate Dixon Whitley heaves around on a line to help douse sails.
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Lt. j. g. Matt Weber climbs the shrouds to assist in sea furling of the sails.
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Officer Candidate Chris Enoksen gives commands as the conning officer during sail stations.
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