US Coast Guard Cutter Eagle

Shortly after we arrived in Bermuda the US Coast Guard Cutter Eagle sailed into Hamilton. It turns out that one of the cadets on board (James) had sailed on Gold Digger in Miami the previous year and he offered to give us a guided tour of the vessel. While the public could tour the top deck, we were privileged to be lead around the whole ship. That special privilege was afforded by the fact that Gold Digger's owner had purchased a second J44 and donated it to the Academy's sailing program.

In the midst of the tour we found ourselves in the senior officer's ward room when our cadet's superior officer called him out into the hallway. A couple of us overheard the conversation which went something like this.

Sr. Officer: "Cadet, these people are not allowed to be in this part of the ship."

Cadet James: "Yes Sir. I know that is normally the case, sir. But I cleared this with the Captain this morning, sir. And one of our guests is Mr. Bishop who donated Glory [the J44] to the Academy, sir".

Sr. Officer: "Ah well, make sure they get a tour of the Captain's cabin as well then. Carry on."

Near the end of the tour, Gold Digger's owner was presented with a gold commerative coin.

What did we learn on the tour?

-- The ship was built in 1936 for Hitler and was originally named SNS Horst Wessel. It was taken at the end of WWII as a war prize.

-- Every one of the 175 or so cadets is required to spend time aloft in the rigging of the 190+ foot tall spars.


-- All the sailing manuevers are conducted manually. For example, spare sails are stored two decks down and, if needed, have to be hauled to the main deck through very narrow passages by however many cadets it takes to lift them.

-- There is no power steering. Two or more cadets man the helm at all time.

-- This is not a dinghy. In all of 2006 thus far, the Eagle has managed to complete one successful tack, a process that takes at least an hour.