Coming from Connecticut this opportunity was important to us. The Coast Guard is an active member of the New London CT community, with the USCG academy being there.

The Barque Eagle is one of two sailing ships still commissioned in the US military.  The other is the US Constitution.

Used as a training vessel for future USCG officers the Eagle sails around the world changing crews as new recruits enter the service.

I do like the history of this shot. Above the Eagle is passing Fort Sumter while leaving the port of Charleston, South Carolina.

Fort Sumter, now a national monument, was fired upon by southern artillery on April 21, 1861. This started the US civil war.

Fort Sumter was built during the war of 1812 and based on the above is not exactly a castle.

To add a little more history, all these photographs were taken from the foot of the Fort Moultrie ramparts. This Fort was the location southern troops used to fire on the northern army out in the harbor.

After leaving Charleston the Eagles next port of call is Baltimore, Maryland.