USCGC Eagle docks behind Hampton Roads Naval Museum

Photo By Max Lonzanida | The USCGC Eagle docking at the pier located behind the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and Nauticus. Pictured in the background is the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. (US Navy Photo by Civilian Public Affairs Officer Max Lonzanida/Released).  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

08.03.2018

Story by Max Lonzanida  

Naval History and Heritage Command

The USS Constitution is a wooden-hulled heavy frigate, and is the world’s oldest commissioned naval vessel still afloat. The Constitution, or Old Ironsides as many refer to her, is one of only two commissioned sailing vessels still afloat. The other is the US Coast Guard’s three masted barque, the USCGC Eagle. Visitors to the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and those lucky enough to be aboard the USS Wisconsin (BB-64) moored next to the Museum were treated to a wonderful sight this afternoon. Amid a light cloud cover and with the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center as a picturesque backdrop; the Eagle gently eased pier side and docked to the delight of on-lookers.

According to the US Coast Guard, the USCG Eagle is a 295-foot three masted barque used to train future officers of the United States Coast Guard. She is known aptly as “America’s Tall Ship”, and is the only active square-rigger in U.S. Government service. She was built in Germany in 1936, and commissioned as the Horst Wessel. She was one of three sailing ships operated by Germany prior to WWII. She was taken as a war reparation by the United States, re-commissioned as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, and sailed to her new homeport of New London, Connecticut. She is utilized to train future U.S. Coast Guard Officers.

The Eagle will be docked behind the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and Nauticus through Monday, August 6, 2018. She will be open for tours starting Saturday, August 4, 2018 from 10am-4pm and on Sunday, August 5, 2018 from 10am-7pm. The majestic tall ship complements the models of sailing ships found throughout the gallery of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. The museum’s gallery includes a model of the USS Cumberland. The Cumberland sank in a battle against the Confederate Ironclad, CSS Virginia on March 8, 1862 during the Battle of Hampton Roads. There is also a model of the USS Minnesota, which was also involved in the Battle of Hampton Roads. A detailed model of the CSS Florida and some of her recovered artifacts sits behind a display case, and there is also a model sailing gunboat used to defend the area during the War of 1812. Additionally, the museum proudly hosts two volunteer model shipbuilders in their gallery during the week. On select days of the week, visitors to the museum can catch a glimpse of volunteers Lee Martin and Pat Roll working on an intricate and detailed model of the US Navy’s oldest commissioned naval vessel, the USS Constitution.

About the Museum:

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is one of ten Navy museums that are operated by the Naval History & Heritage Command. It celebrates the long history of the U.S Navy in the Hampton Roads Region, and is co-located with Nauticus in Downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Admission to the museum is free, simply by-pass the ticket line and take the stairs or elevator to the museum on the second deck. The museum offers free educational programs for area schools, such as a travelling Civil War sea chest and Cold War sea chest, historical presentations by talented museum educators, and its signature Lego educational outreach program, all free of charge. To inquire, contact their Education Director, Laura Orr at [e-mail] or at [phone]. The museum is also host to a robust volunteer corps, and is always seeking new volunteers. To inquire, contact their Volunteer Coordinator, Darcy Sink at [e-mail] or at [phone].

• Date Taken: 08.03.2018
• Date Posted: 08.03.2018 19:14
• Story ID: 287238
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US