SAN DIEGO, CA — U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle will return to San Diego and be open for public tours this weekend.
Free public tours are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the B Street Pier at 1140 North Harbor Drive in San Diego, according to the Coast Guard.
At 295 feet in length, Eagle is the largest tall ship flying the stars and stripes and the only active square-rigger in U.S. government service.
The ship, built in 1936 by the Blohm and Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, and originally commissioned as the Horst Wessel by the German Navy, was a war reparation for the U.S. following World War II.
Eagle is a three-masted barque with more than 22,300 square feet of sail and six miles of rigging. The ship has served as a classroom at sea for future Coast Guard officers since 1946, offering an at-sea leadership and professional development experience as part of the Coast Guard Academy’s curriculum.
Eagle also serves as a goodwill ambassador to foster relationships with partner nations.
San Diego marks the 12th port call of the Eagle’s journey along the West Coast. The ship visited San Diego last week, which was the first time since 2008.
No tickets are required and tours are free of charge.