The USCGC Eagle (WIX-327) (formerly the SSS Horst Wessel) is a 295-foot (90 m) barque used as a training cutter for future officers of the United States Coast Guard. She is the only active commissioned steel hulled sailing vessel in American military service. She is the seventh U.S. Navy or Coast Guard ship to bear the name in a line dating back to 1792. Each summer, Eagle conducts cruises with cadets from the United States Coast Guard Academy and candidates from the Officer Candidate School for periods ranging from a week to two months. These cruises fulfill multiple roles; the primary mission is training the cadets and officer candidates, but the ship also performs a public relations role. Often, Eagle makes calls at foreign ports as a goodwill ambassador.
Built as the German training vessel Horst Wessel in 1936, it served to train German sailors in sail techniques until decommissioned at the start of the war. Given anti-aircraft armament it was re-commissioned in 1942. At the end of the war Horst Wessel was taken by the US as war reparations.
This is where the Soccer Stadium was wanted by David Beckham and Mayor Gimenez. They wanted to fill the slip. Since the City owns the slip, they nixed the deal. People were free to go on board the vessel for a tour. The salon has been restored to the way it was decorated when Hitler Christened the Eagle. Howard Slotnick of Op Sail New York (he was the Op Sail Vice President and Seaport Trustee) is going to encourage more Tall Ships to visit Miami's FEC Slip.
Mayor Reglado at the soft opening of Museum Park and the Arrival of the Eagle. Everyone was in a festive mood when the Mayor said NO to the Soccer stadium on the waterfront.
| School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho with the Lovely School Board Member Raquel Regalado. |
| Grateful Citizens |
| Bicentennial/Museum Park - not as ugly as Mayor Gimenez thinks. |