Story and photos by Riley Garrity
I was fortunate during Sail Boston 250 to receive a tour of the United States Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, which was docked for the week in the Charlestown Navy Yard.
The Eagle was originally built in Germany as the Horst Wessel until it was seized by the United States as a war prize after World War II. It now serves as a training ship for the Coast Guard Academy, providing cadets with hands-on experience in sailing, teamwork, and leadership.
A Coast Guard officer showed my family and me the ship’s sails, her galley and wardroom, and her four helms. We toured the main deck while he explained how the sails operate and how the crew works together to raise, lower, and adjust them using pulleys. One of the most interesting parts of the tour was trying the pulley systems ourselves to get a sense of how much teamwork and effort it takes to control the sails. Our guide also showed us the protective coverings that the crew hand-wraps around the ship’s cables every three months to preserve them and make climbing the rigging safer.
We also viewed photos of three of the Eagle’s four sister ships and other artifacts and memorabilia. (Together the Eagle and her four sister ships are referred to as the Five Sisters, and Eagle and three others kicked off Sail Boston with a race from New York harbor, up around Cape Cod, and into Boston Harbor). The coast guard showed us the sails and how they operate, their kitchens (the galley), the Wardroom, photos of the three sister ships, and many memorabilia. There were four wheels (helms) on the ship, including one emergency wheel.
Throughout the tour, the officer described the daily routines of the crew, the training they complete, and the responsibilities they have while at sea. It was impressive to learn how much discipline, communication, and trust are required to operate such a large sailing ship safely.
Riley Garrity, a University of Colorado student, interned at Regan Communications Group.
