NORFOLK — If you like tall ships, the military, or both, you’re in for a treat this weekend.
On Friday, Coast Guard Cutter Barque Eagle will dock at the Nauticus Pier at the Waterside Marina, according to a Coast Guard news release.
The 225-foot Eagle is the largest tall-ship hailing from the United States and the only active square-rigger in U.S. government service. It was built by Germany in 1936 in Hamburg and used by the German Navy. The United States took the Eagle as a war reparation following World War II.
Now, the Coast Guard uses the ship as a training vessel for up to 150 cadets from the Coast Guard Academy at a time. The ship also has a permanent crew of eight officers and 50 enlisted personnel.
The ship has served as an afloat classroom for cadets since 1946.
The ship will be open to the public for tours Friday and Sunday. On Saturday, tours will be available for people with the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and first responders.
The stop in Norfolk will be part of the Coast Guard’s 2018 summer deployment, spanning eight months and 20 ports and including Barbados, Santa Domingo, San Juan, Roatán, Cartagena, and Curacao.
- Friday, April 6: 1 to 7 p.m., tours open to the public
- Saturday, April 7: 9 to 10 a.m., for Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and first responders
- Saturday, April 8: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., tours open to the public
