US Coast Guard Day
Aug 4, 2019 15:42:07 #
Today … August 4 … marks the date in 1790 when the Coast Guard was formed by Congress.
In celebration of that Service, I thought I'd share photos from an event I attended last night … August 3rd.
Last Wednesday, I got a call from a fellow I know, inviting me to an event his company putting on ... it was described as:
A CLIENT EVENT ABOARD THE Tall Ship USCGC EAGLE
Hors D’oeuvres, Beer & Wine
Yup ... a chance to visit the United States Coast Guard Cutter Eagle!!!!! And there was going to be Food?!?!?!?! Oh yeah!!!! I was ready!!!!
The event was held while the USCGC Eagle was moored in Portsmouth, NH (sadly, it did not involve an actual sail). A photographer friend & I spent the evening touring the ship & taking photos. What an amazing treasure that ship is. For those who don't know, it started life in 1936 as part of the German Navy. At the end of the war, the US took the Eagle as war reparations. She sails with cadets who aspire to become Coast Guard officers.
Some might ask, why would the Coast Guard train modern day officers on an old historic sailing ship. A website I saw (beyondships4) said it best:
"The Coast Guard cites two reasons. First, Eagle builds character. Having to climb rigging and be on an open deck in all weathers pushes the trainees to the limits of their endurance. It requires them to face and overcome their fears. In addition, they have to work together as a team in order to sail the ship. These are good strengths to have in future officers."
That sounded like a very logical approach to creating leaders & clearly suggests that the Coast Guard is built around some very strong, capable & talented people.
I've read the masts are as tall as a 15 story building & there are 23 different sails in total. Setting the sails requires 190 different lines (ropes) totaling more than 5 miles in length, to hoist the entire 21,350 square feet of sails!!!!!! That must be some feat to watch!!!! I'd love to sail on her & take photos while she's underway.
What an evening it was … I hope you enjoy the photos & I tip my hat to those who served in this noble branch of the military.
Frank
In celebration of that Service, I thought I'd share photos from an event I attended last night … August 3rd.
Last Wednesday, I got a call from a fellow I know, inviting me to an event his company putting on ... it was described as:
A CLIENT EVENT ABOARD THE Tall Ship USCGC EAGLE
Hors D’oeuvres, Beer & Wine
Yup ... a chance to visit the United States Coast Guard Cutter Eagle!!!!! And there was going to be Food?!?!?!?! Oh yeah!!!! I was ready!!!!
The event was held while the USCGC Eagle was moored in Portsmouth, NH (sadly, it did not involve an actual sail). A photographer friend & I spent the evening touring the ship & taking photos. What an amazing treasure that ship is. For those who don't know, it started life in 1936 as part of the German Navy. At the end of the war, the US took the Eagle as war reparations. She sails with cadets who aspire to become Coast Guard officers.
Some might ask, why would the Coast Guard train modern day officers on an old historic sailing ship. A website I saw (beyondships4) said it best:
"The Coast Guard cites two reasons. First, Eagle builds character. Having to climb rigging and be on an open deck in all weathers pushes the trainees to the limits of their endurance. It requires them to face and overcome their fears. In addition, they have to work together as a team in order to sail the ship. These are good strengths to have in future officers."
That sounded like a very logical approach to creating leaders & clearly suggests that the Coast Guard is built around some very strong, capable & talented people.
I've read the masts are as tall as a 15 story building & there are 23 different sails in total. Setting the sails requires 190 different lines (ropes) totaling more than 5 miles in length, to hoist the entire 21,350 square feet of sails!!!!!! That must be some feat to watch!!!! I'd love to sail on her & take photos while she's underway.
What an evening it was … I hope you enjoy the photos & I tip my hat to those who served in this noble branch of the military.
Frank
Shot from the bow of the Eagle toward the city of Portsmouth, NH
(Download)
The Helm Station consists of multiple wheels for steering the ship. I've read that it can require up to 6 crew members working (steering) together in order to turn the wheels fast enough to turn the rudder when navigating near land.
(Download)
At the stern of the ship is an emergency steering wheel located directly above the rudder. The big coffin like box the wheel is hooked to, is called the Captain's Coffin which protects the steering linkage to the rudder.
(Download)
I was fascinated with the rigging (ropes) which are everywhere ... & while they were not climbing around in it when I was there (the ship was in port), the young men & women of Eagle spend a lot of time climbing around on that rigging.
The Eagle was built in Germany in 1936. It was initially used to train German sailors up through WW II, however it was taken by the US as war reparations when the war was over.
The 1st thing I asked upon boarding, was what is the seaweed like stuff up in the rigging. It’s baggywrinkle made by wrapping old line around steel cables as protection to prevent wear or tear holes in the sails.
(Download)
Can you imagine being one of the young men & women of Eagle climbing around the masts & rigging in a rolling surf? They do wear safety harnesses however.
(Download)
15 stories?!?!?!?!? No thanks.
(Download)
At the Stern (back) of the ship, a shot of Old Glory waving in a gentle breeze & lit by the setting sun … just prior to Colors (when the flag is lowered at sunset) made a moving photo.
The eagle on the bow ... leading the way.
(Download)
Aug 4, 2019 15:43:35 #
Aug 4, 2019 15:48:15 #
Aug 4, 2019 15:51:13 #
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Aug 4, 2019 16:12:34 #
Aug 4, 2019 16:12:45 #
Aug 4, 2019 16:13:52 #
Aug 4, 2019 16:14:21 #
Frank .., thnx for the rememberence. .,, they fight and protect our boarders .. An honored service tradition .
I took a picture last week of one of our newest to join the fleet here in Hawaii .. Shot taken from ALOHA Tower 10th floor ..
I took a picture last week of one of our newest to join the fleet here in Hawaii .. Shot taken from ALOHA Tower 10th floor ..
Aug 4, 2019 16:16:19 #
Dr.Nikon wrote:
Frank .., thnx for the rememberence. .,, they fight and protect our boarders .. An honored service tradition .
I took a picture last week of one of our newest to join the fleet here in Hawaii .. Shot taken from ALOHA Tower 10th floor ..
I took a picture last week of one of our newest to join the fleet here in Hawaii .. Shot taken from ALOHA Tower 10th floor ..
Love it Dr.Nikon ... & you're right ... the Coast Guard ends up in some tough fights protecting us ... thanks for sharing the thoughts & photo. Best to you.
PS: I was just looking at that ship in download ... that looks like a fast beast to my untrained eyes.
Aug 4, 2019 16:23:04 #
Aug 4, 2019 16:24:45 #
pbcbob wrote:
Bravo Zulu (Well done).
Thank you pbcbob ... appreciate the visit & positive comment. Best to you.
Aug 4, 2019 16:32:26 #
A beautiful ship!!! Thank you for the very informative tour.
Aug 4, 2019 16:41:07 #
luvmypets wrote:
A beautiful ship!!! Thank you for the very informative tour.
And thank you luvmypets for the visit & kind words.
Aug 4, 2019 21:00:58 #
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