June 17 | Doors Open 5:30 PM | Lecture 6:00–7:00 PM | Reception to Follow
Sailing Through History: The Remarkable Journey of USCGC Eagle
A Sailors’ Series Program at the New Bedford Whaling Museum
June 17 | Doors Open 5:30 PM | Lecture 6:00–7:00 PM | Reception to Follow
The New Bedford Whaling Museum welcomes author Will Sofrin for a powerful evening exploring one of the most extraordinary transformations in modern maritime history—the story of the USCGC Eagle.
Originally launched in 1936 as the German naval training ship Horst Wessel, the vessel sailed under the Nazi flag before being seized by the United States as a war prize at the end of World War II. Recommissioned in 1946 as USCGC Eagle, she was reborn as a symbol of American democratic ideals and has since trained generations of Coast Guard officers in seamanship, leadership, discipline, and service.
In this compelling Sailors’ Series program, Sofrin brings to life the dramatic and little-known journey of Eagle—from the shadow of the Third Reich to her enduring role as America’s Tall Ship. Drawing on rare archival photographs, newly released historic film footage, and firsthand accounts spanning eight decades, Sofrin reveals how the Coast Guard transformed a captured enemy vessel into a floating classroom, a diplomatic ambassador, and a national icon.
Praised by Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Rick Atkinson as “a fine book about an extraordinary sailing vessel,” Sofrin’s work combines rigorous research with vivid storytelling. His presentations are immersive, fast-paced, and visually rich, blending historic footage with modern imagery from Eagle’s recent voyages. Audiences experience not just a lecture, but a cinematic journey across time and sea.
Today, Eagle continues to train cadets of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, teaching navigation, ship handling, teamwork, and resilience—core values embodied in the daily service of Coast Guard members who protect the nation in often unseen but critical roles.
Schedule:
5:30 PM – Doors Open
6:00–7:00 PM – Lecture with Will Sofrin | Cook Memorial Theater
7:00 PM – Light Reception and Book Signing | Jacobs Family Gallery
Join us for an unforgettable evening of maritime history, transformation, and living legacy at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
Supported by Ruth and Hope Atkinson
Supported in part by
The Samuel D. Rusitzky Lecture Fund
The Sailors’ Series is an annual, legacy lecture series of the New Bedford Whaling Museum that presents a wide variety of experiences and adventures by individuals with lifelong commitments to sailing, boats, and the sea.
