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Floating History Lesson: Tall Ship Returns To Charm City

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- One of the nation's tall ships returns to Charm City. The Coast Guard cutter Eagle was open for tours all weekend.

Gigi Barnett explains it has a rich history patrolling the country's coasts.

The sails of the Coast Guard cutter "The Eagle" tower over the Inner Harbor. Once on board, visitors find the tall ship is a floating history lesson.

"It would be cool to see what it can do out on the water, if they took you out on a cruise," said visitor Mark O'Driscoll. "But it's impressive."

The Eagle is 295 feet long. Shortly after World War II, the Coast Guard acquired her from Germany back in 1946. Since then, it's traveled around the world as a training vessel for future Coast Guard officers.

"It must take a lot of muscle to sail that ship," said Genevieve Cole.

It does, indeed.

"I really enjoyed getting to see it. I'm going to be sailing on it," Oliver Cole, Coast Guard officer candidate, said.

Cole goes to officer candidate school in January. This was a chance to inspect the tall ship that could soon be his home away from home.

"This is the ship that's been serving our country since the 1940s, and that's pretty cool," said Oliver Cole. "It was a really good opportunity for me to be able to ask them some questions about what's in store for me."

This is The Eagle's first visit back to Baltimore since last year. It was here for the 2012 Sailabration.

"It looks like it would be incredible to sail on it. It's so exciting," said Genevieve Cole.

The Eagle is one of several tall ships visiting Baltimore from around the world this fall. Cutters from Brazil, South Korea and Norway are scheduled to make stops in Charm City.

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