Eagle Begins Historic East Coast Tour

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, America’s Tall Ship, has begun its 2012 Training Cruise, which includes participation in Operation Sail 2012 and War of 1812 Bicentennial events in New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Baltimore, Boston, and New London.

“It is an honor to participate in commemorating the War of 1812 with the United States Navy and other international tall ships,” says Capt. Eric C. Jones, the Eagle’s commanding officer. “The Eagle‘s 2012 schedule provides challenging at-sea opportunities for training future Coast Guard officers, while also building an appreciation for our nation’s rich maritime heritage through our participation in Operation Sail 2012 and War of 1812 commemoration events.”

The War of 1812 shaped both our nation and the U.S. Coast Guard. In this war, the Revenue Cutter Service, the predecessor to the modern-day Coast Guard, demonstrated the remarkable bravery, spirit, and resourcefulness of the service its people. In addition to protecting American commerce and fighting alongside the U.S. Navy, revenue cutters served as law enforcement assets in ports and along our coasts, provided valuable maritime intelligence, transported precious government cargos, dignitaries and diplomats, and delivered vital dispatches.

In all, the Eagle will visit twelve ports this year, including:

• April 17 – April 20, New Orleans, Louisiana
• April 26 – April 29, Jacksonville, Florida
• April 29 – May 3, Mayport, Florida
• May 4 – May 7, Savannah, Georgia
• May 23 – May 28, New York
• June 8 – June 11, Norfolk, Virginia
• June 14 – June 17, Baltimore, Maryland
• June 30 – July 3, Boston, Massachusetts
• July 6 – July 10, New London, Connecticut
• July 20 – July 23, Halifax, Nova Scotia
• July 27 – July 30, Portland, Maine
• Aug. 3 – Aug. 6, Newport, Rhode Island

The Eagle is the largest tall ship flying the United States flag and the only active square-rigger in U.S. government service. A three-masted barque, the Eagle provides an unparalleled at-sea leadership and professional development experience for future officers of the U.S. Coast Guard. A permanent crew of six officers and forty-nine enlisted personnel guides the trainees through a rigorous underway and in-port training curriculum dedicated to the skills of navigation, damage control, watchstanding, engineering, and deck seamanship.