BLOG: The Mighty Eagle Soars into Baltimore

Of all the incredible tall ships arriving in Baltimore for the Commemoration of the War of 1812, in my opinion one stands tallest.

Mighty Coast Guard Cutter Eagle.  The USCGC Eagle is still a commissioned ship  in active service in the nation's fifth arm service, training cadets and future Coast Guard officers year in and year out.

Walter Cronkite was so inspired by Eagle that he called her "the unique, magnificent, manifestation of the American Spirit."  **( Watch EAGLE at sailing the open ocean - VIDEO HERE )

And talk about a fascinating history:  "Originally operated by Nazi Germany to train cadets for the German Navy, the ship was taken by the United States as a war prize after World War II. In 1946, a U.S. Coast Guard crew - aided by the German crew still on board - sailed the tall ship from Bremerhaven to its new home port in New London, Connecticut."

During my service in the Coast Guard, I was fortunate to get to sail for a few days on the Eagle from Bermuda back to the east coast of the U.S.  One of the most gut wrenching things I ever did as see was climb to nearly the top of her giant center mast and then shimmy out to the edge of one of her yardarms in large rolling seas (hint:  you cannot "clip in" your safety belt until you are in your final position on the rigging, so it would be quite easy to fall to your death).  

If you get a chance to attend Baltimore's Sailabration event, whatever you do, make time to stop by and take a look at the might Eagle, believe me you'll be very likely be impressed with this pride of the U.S. fleet!