MIAMI – The U.S. Coast Guard’s Barque Eagle will be anchored for three days in Miami and will be open for free public tours from Thursday through Saturday.
The Eagle is the tallest ship flying the stars and stripes, and the only active square-rigger in United States government service.
The ship is a three-masted ship with more than 6,797 square meters of sail and 9.7 kilometers of rigging.
The @USCG Barque Eagle will moor at #MauriceAFerrePark in #Miami May 19-21 and offer #FREE public tours!
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) May 17, 2022
For more information visit the link below. We hope to see you there!https://t.co/EYfVUV1FHC pic.twitter.com/iDysc4bJEo
It was constructed in 1936 by the Blohm and Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, and originally commissioned as the Horst Wessel by the German Navy. The Eagle was a war reparation for the United States following World War II.
The purpose of the ship as of today is for training and community relations.
Onboard, there are currently eight officers, 50 enlisted crew, and 150 cadets who are currently training for the U.S. Coast Guard.
For Sonia Sriniwas, one of the cadets, this was the first ship she’s been on.
“I have more responsibility for my own division of sophomores, so I have six sophomores that I am in charge of and then I have collateral responsibilities, and mine is logistics,” she said.
The ship is decorated with American history and visitors who take the tour can see the wardroom where officers have their meetings, to the captain’s quarters where guests are entertained.
“We’ve turned her from a symbol of fascism to a symbol of freedom, bearing the American eagle with stars and stripes,” Ben French of the U.S. Coast Guard Third Class said.
If you want to find out more info on the Eagle and how you can get a tour click here.