Old Glory framed against a blue sky, rippling in a northwesterly breeze and flying proudly on the United States Coast Guard cutter Eagle as she is moored alongside the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon.
The barque Eagle as seen from the Columbia River Maritime Museum on 6 June, 2008.
(Click for larger version)
Lightship Columbia, moored alongside, looks small in comparison to the 295′ long ship.
The Eagle was commissioned originally for the German Navy as the Horst Wessel in 1936.
Taken by the US as a war prize after WWII, she was re-commissioned in 1946 for the USCG.
More information on the Eagle’s history at this link
Click the image for a larger version.
The fuzzy stuff is called “baggywrinkle” and it is
designed to decrease chafing of the sails
The 1812 Privateer Lynx under full sail on the Columbia River.
The USCG Cutter Eagle pivoting on anchor, turning from her Eastward-pointing direction as she prepares to depart out the mouth of the Columbia River, and navigate the waters of the Pacific Graveyard, where the bones of many ships and fishing vessels repose.
Pointed west, the barque then rides the ebb tide to the Pacific Ocean.
The Eagle departing Astoria, escorted by an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter.
(click image at left for a larger version)
Links:
Pictures and video on the USCG Press Release Page
If you love maritime history, sailing and boats in general, or know someone who does, have a look at our shipwreck chart, available for purchase: Dead Reckoning of the Pacific Graveyard.
[...] the Bounty is also scheduled to attend the Festival of Sail in San Diego, California along with the USCG Cutter Eagle, which was here last [...]