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Sharon is originally from Vinita, OK. She left Oklahoma when she graduated from college and went to the big city of Chicago for several years. Her employment with a large Corporation transferred her to various states. She finally lived in the New Orleans area, where she meet Frank who taught her how to Sail.
Quoting Sharon: "We cruised for several years and enjoyed every port and made friends from all around the world. My favorite place we cruised was Ft. Jefferson approximately 60 miles from Key West."
"Between the two of us we have three daughters, three son-in-laws and five granddaughters and one grandson."
Ever wait 44 years to fulfill a dream? Well, Frank waited a LONG time, then fulfilled a dream both his Father and he had—that Frank would serve as a cadet on the US Coast Guard’s Tall Ship Barque Eagle.
What is the Barque Eagle?
Built by the Germans for training the Nazi Navy in 1936, Ship #357, named the Horst Wessel was built along with two sister ships, #358 and #359. Confiscated by the US Navy in 1946, as part of the distribution of assets to countries that supported the allies, the two other ships were given to Portugal and Brazil. Those ships are still in operation as well. #357 became a USCG cadet training vessel, renamed Barque Eagle.
So how did Frank, GLSC’s resident legend, get to crew on this historic ship?
It goes back a LONG way! Frank’s Uncle was a merchant sailor who’s first square rigger tour was to Africa to transport animals and slaves to the US. Frank’s Father was a bosun on a USCG fireboat, saw the Barque Eagle, and tried to become a crew member himself. Because of the war effort and his having too many dependants, he was not allowed to be part of that crew. His Dad wanted Frank to have the experience of crewing on that
boat. It was a long, round about journey for Frank to arrive as crew there.
In 1965, Frank had completed all the paperwork to join the Coast Guard; He was SET. But when they examined Frank and saw that he was missing part of one thumb, he was exempted on the spot and sent home. Rejected by the CG, Frank joined the Merchant Marines. He spent 15 years on power vessels in the engine rooms, earning an Engineer’s
Certificate. In 1981, Frank earned his Captain’s License. Operating his private business later, Frank was observed rendering aid and assistance just as he does now for GLSC—it’s in his nature!
His history shows going to the aid of distressed seamen, not for the recognition, but it was the right thing to do. When Katrina hit, Frank, Sharon, and his business were READY to again offer aid and assistance. Would any of us thought to do all that he did in preparation? Frank had his crew fill all the water storage of all the boats in his slips. He
had two generators secured to use after the storm. When his building survived, he and his crews washed the scum out of the lower floor, then made it inhabitable for about 30 people as a shelter. They wired the generators into the building power. They had all the water they needed from the ships’ storage. They went to all the local apartments and
gathered all the food they could find as well as bedding. The food was stocked in the refrigerators and the bedding was washed. Not a bad way to recover from a hurricane, right? Well, the Yeoman who Frank impressed to join the Coast Guard and a person with homeland security, who resided across the waterway from Frank’s business, observed all this going on. That person was instrumental in Frank becoming a Guest Speaker on
Barque Eagle!
In 2009, Frank and Sharon traveled to the east coast. Sharon enjoyed the time on a beautiful farm’s bed and breakfast while Frank joined the ship. With his long Merchant Marine experience, his job was to give presentations to the cadets explaining to them their future in Merchant Marines once they left the USCG. For three weeks, Frank gave his presentations to 150 new cadets each week as they offloaded/onloaded new cadets at each port stop. This tour took him from Rockland, ME to Portsmith, NH to New Holland, CN impressing on the cadets the idea of studying for their Captain’s License.
So what about Barque Eagle?
She carries a permanent crew of 68. For power, it has one 1,000 HP Cat Diesel with a Cat Transmission. The propeller shaft is TEN INCHES in diameter, turning one 48 inch propeller. Two 3208 Cat Diesels power generators. Hull Speed is 7 Kt. Range on engine power is about 3,000 miles as she carries 24,000 gallons of fuel.
Now for the good part—the SAILING:
- Length overall is 295ft with waterline of 231 ft,
- Beam is 39 ft,
- Freeboard is 9.1 ft.
- Draft is 16ft,
- Displacement 1816 Tons, and
- Ballast is 380 Tons.
- Maintrunk (mast) is 147 ft!
- Sail Area is 22,227 ft.
- Speed under sail is 17 KT
- Anchors are 3860 pounds (now operated by hydraulics thankfully)
So how to you rig this thing? And you think it takes you time to rig your boat?
Unfurl all sails and set staysail (jibs and weather main) and lower spankers (mizzen staysails) takes about FOUR HOURS. To Douse sail takes 45 minutes. Takes Three hours to Furl them! All sail lines are one inch rope.You do not jibe and do not tack; You “Wear the ship”. Turn the yards to weather and then turn the ship under the yards. If you flog these sails, these will turn to RAGS. Sails are heavier than conventional army tent. Complete sail loft below deck.
When wear the ship or furl the sails, all hands on deck with exception of galley crew. Approx 160 working the ships. Bosons are on the tips at the ends of the yards arms. Main, top Main, Galliant, and Royal Top Galliant (uppermost) hanging from a yard 30 ft long weighing 1100 pounds. Climb by going up Rat Lines.
So what does all this mean?
To deploy the sails, 54 people scale the Rat Lines at one time. These are the sail handlers. At subsequent levels, there are 8, 8, 10, 12, and 16 crewmembers standing on the arms dealing with the sails, taking their directions from the bosuns, also on the arms.
So what is Frank’s NEW assignment on the ship?
Frank will be joining the ship in April 2010 FOR THREE MONTHS as an E2, working in the Engine Room! His tour will conclude at a tall ship event in Charleston on 7/4 celebrating the USCG’s 300th birthday. Way to go Frank!
He will be going from New London to Cancun, meet Mexican ship El Dorado, sail to Carta Hana, Columbia. Maybe to Venezuela, Buenos Aires.
A new ship joins the group at each port. The group will traverse the Cape of Magelleon. LaPaus, Peru. Aranoi, Costa Rica, Acapulco, San Diego, then back around the horn to Charleston.
All maneuvers and ports are goodwill in nature.
This ship is part of the American Tall Ship Association. Race occurs for cadet training and international relations.
We all know that Frank’s eyes light up when talking about boats, but ask him about the Eagle, and they will really light up!
Website for more info on the Eagle: http://www.uscg.mil/datasheet/wixtrain.asp
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