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GREENPORT, NY — Greenport is once again alive with the magic of a Tall Ship gracing its harbor.
On Friday, many rose to welcome the United States Coast Guard's Eagle, a 295-foot, three-masted barque used as a training vessel for future officers.
According to the USCG, the Eagle is known as "America's Tall Ship;" the majestic Eagle is the largest tall ship flying the Stars and Stripes and the only active square-rigger in U.S. government service.
What to know about the USCGC Eagle, according to the USCG:
History of the USCGC Eagle
Built at the Blohm+Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany in 1936, and commissioned as Horst Wessel, the USCG Eagle was one of three sail-training ships operated by the pre-World War II German navy, the USCG said.
"At the close of the war, the ship was taken as a war reparation by the U.S., re-commissioned as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle and sailed to New London, CT, which has been her permanent homeport ever since," the USCG said.
A noble mission
According to the USCG, while the USCGC Eagle's primary mission is training,the ship also performs a public relations role, welcoming the public to visit during domestic port calls, and making calls at foreign ports as a "floating goodwill ambassador" for US diplomatic relations.
The USCGC Eagle has hosted Presidents Kennedy, Nixon and Truman, officials said.
The arrival of the USCG Eagle sparked a sense of wonder in the village.
"Went out early this morning on the Sea Tow boat to watch the Eagle come into Greenport," Jeff Goubeaud said on social media." What a beautiful sight! Semper Paratus," he added, quoting the Coast Guard's motto, which means "Always ready."
"USCG Barque Eagle has landed at the dock we built for it in 2003," said former Greenport Village Mayor David Kapell. "Wonderful to see it back."
Kapell, who worked tirelessly to revitalize the working waterfront in Greenport and whose vision brought the carousel to Mitchell Park — now a destination for scores of families and visitors — heralded the Eagle's first arrival in the village in 2006.
The USCG Eagle will grace Greenport through Monday, with public tours available.
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