The Amazing Story And Mission Of The US Coast Guard Ship Eagle

The Eagle’s design and construction were indicative of centuries of shipbuilding skill. Running nearly the length of a football field, the ship has three masts and 23 sails that cover an area of 22,227 square feet. The vessel is outfitted with a steel hull and decks with 3-inch teak wood covering the forecastle, quarterdeck, and weather decks. On the open ocean and under full sail, the Eagle can achieve speeds up to 17 knots (20 mph) or, when powered by its 750 horsepower diesel engine, around 10 knots (11 mph). The ship is maintained year-round by a crew of eight officers and 50 enlisted personnel.

The arrival of the three-masted Eagle to the USCGA on July 12, 1946, was critical to the fulfillment of the academy’s mission. Originally founded in 1876 as the U.S. Revenue Cutter School of Instruction — Underway, its first nine students undertook their curriculum aboard the schooner Dobbin. Today, the Eagle’s mission is two-fold: train future officers on seamanship and serve a symbol of goodwill on public relations tours. Every crew, consisting of up to 150 cadets, learns critical skills such as navigation, engineering, and rigging. The time aboard the Eagle, according to the Coast Guard is an “experience [that] builds character and helps future officers develop skills of leadership and teamwork that prove valuable assets throughout their careers.”