The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle is making a rare and exciting visit to Astoria, Oregon, where it will be docked at Pier 1 on Portway Street in Uniontown from June 13 to 16. As part of this special occasion, the public is invited to come aboard for free guided tours of the historic tall ship. Tour times are Friday, June 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to walk the decks of “America’s Tall Ship,” explore its towering masts and rigging, and learn about the ship’s remarkable history and training mission. Paid parking is available near Pier One, and more information can be found at

https://uscga.edu/mission/eagle

History

Rising proudly with her towering masts and billowing sails, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle (WIX-327) is more than just a majestic training ship — she is a living symbol of maritime tradition, resilience, and international cooperation. Known affectionately as “America’s Tall Ship,” Eagle serves as a floating classroom for future Coast Guard officers while carrying a legacy that spans continents and wars.

Origins in Germany

The Eagle’s story begins not in the United States, but in Nazi Germany. Originally christened Horst Wessel, she was launched in 1936 as one of three training ships built by the German Navy to prepare cadets for service. Designed by the famous shipbuilder Blohm & Voss, the vessel was constructed with steel hulls, elegant lines, and a full-rigged three-masted barque configuration — ideal for instilling seamanship, teamwork, and leadership under sail.

The Horst Wessel served as a training ship through World War II, but by the war’s end, she lay docked and damaged in Bremerhaven, Germany.

A New Life Under the American Flag

Following Germany’s defeat, Allied powers divided the remaining naval assets among themselves. In 1946, as part of war reparations, the United States claimed Horst Wessel and sailed her across the Atlantic under a combined U.S. Navy and Coast Guard crew. The voyage itself was a significant feat — her sails and rigging had to be restored, and the inexperienced crew had to learn tall ship sailing from scratch.

Once in American hands, the ship was renamed the USCGC Eagle and recommissioned into the U.S. Coast Guard. She quickly became the Coast Guard Academy’s primary training vessel — a role she continues to fulfill to this day.

Training Future Guardians

Each summer, the Eagle sets sail with cadets from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. These young men and women learn traditional seamanship by hauling lines, standing watch, and navigating using celestial methods — skills that foster leadership, discipline, and problem-solving under pressure.

Despite the advance of modern navigation systems, the Eagle provides a grounding experience in the basics of wind, sea, and teamwork — something no simulator can replicate.

Diplomatic and Public Role

Beyond training, the Eagle has served as a diplomatic ambassador. She has visited ports around the globe, flying the American flag and representing the U.S. with grace and pride. Her presence is a magnet for international crowds, often welcoming thousands of visitors aboard during port calls.

The Eagle played a special role in the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, took part in the Tall Ships Races, and even visited her birthplace in Germany, symbolizing reconciliation and peace between former enemies.

A Living Legacy

Now approaching 90 years old, the Eagle is not just surviving — she is thriving. Under constant maintenance and periodic overhauls, her steel hull, teak decks, and intricate rigging are cared for by both skilled hands and the passion of her crews.

The Eagle is the last operational sailing vessel in U.S. government service and one of only a few in the world still used for military training.

Conclusion

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle is more than a ship — she is a bridge between past and present, old world and new, sail and steam, discipline and inspiration. From Nazi Germany to New London, and from cadet hands to global harbors, she sails onward — a testament to transformation, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the sea.