Community Corner
Tall Ship 'Eagle' Sails into Portsmouth
The 147-foot ship successfully made its way under the new Memorial Bridge Friday afternoon for a weekend-long festival.
Thousands of onlookers cheered as the tall ship "Eagle" successfully navigated its way under the new Memorial Bridge into Portsmouth Friday afternoon.
The ship, operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, came to the city for the annual Sail Portsmouth festival this weekend. Free tours will be offered at the state Port Authority where it's docked.
The ship's main mast is 147 feet tall, according to the Coast Guard. It can hold 239 people and has a top speed of 17 knots.
Built in 1936 in Germany, the ship was originally used by the German Navy to train cadets. The U.S. took it as a prize after World War II and recommissioned it. A permanent crew now maintains the ship year-round and uses it for training.
The Eagle and her crew were joined by the Portsmouth Fire Boat, the Piscataqua Gundalow and the Thomas Laighton along with several smaller vessels Friday.
The free tours will be offered Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days. Visit the Sail Portsmouth website for more information.
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