INAUGURATING THE PARADE OF SHIPS IS THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD CUTTER EAGLE, WITH HER IMPRESSIVE MAST OF SAILS THAT HARKEN BACK TO AN EARLIER ERA OF NAVAL HISTORY.
THE EAGLE WAS BUILT IN 1936 IN HAMBURG, GERMANY, AS A TRAINING SHIP FOR GERMAN NAVAL CADETS. SHE NOW SERVES AS A SEAGOING CLASSROOM FOR 175 CADETS AND INSTRUCTORS OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD ACADEMY. IT IS ON THE DECKS AND RIGGING OF THE EAGLE THAT THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ACADEMY GET THEIR FIRST TASTE OF SALT AIR AND LIFE AT SEA.
SHE IS 295 FEET LONG AND CONTAINS MORE THAN 20,000 SQUARE FEET OF SAIL AND FIVE MILES OF RIGGING.
THE SHIP, COMMANDED BY COAST GUARD CAPTAIN IVAN LUKE JUNIOR, IS HOMEPORTED AT THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY ON THE THAMES RIVER IN NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT.
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