Flagship of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Eagle also serves as an international goodwill ambassador for the United States. Eagle's primary mission is training U.S. Coast Guard cadets in the fundamental disciplines of seamanship. Through practical application, cadets learn navigation, engineering, and ship maneuvering. In addition, they set some 20,000 square feet of sail and control more than 20 miles of rigging lines under way.
The Eagle was originally named Horst Wessel and came under the U.S. flag from Germany after World War II.
Today, Eagle's homeport is New London, CT, but she can be seen representing the U.S. in ports around the world.
