Editor’s note: What follows is an email forwarding the author’s trip report aboard the USCG Barque Eagle. It should be noted that this article was received via the Coast Guard from the Chief of External Affairs, Atlantic Area. His account of his daily activity, in the form of a diary, has been reproduced in its entirety.
Original email message that started the chain:
Dr. Tejeiro is an Auxiliarist, and is also an MD who provides orthopedic medical services part-time in our clinic. He is super at his specialty, and has saved our clinic hundreds of thousands of dollars over years. He managed to wheedle his way into a CGC EAGLE deployment and is extended, and is loving it.
Here is his trip report--with some photos of EAGLE that gave me flashbacks...
Dear Friends and Shipmates,
I am sorry that I have taken so long without corresponding but life aboard the Eagle is so full of things to see, learn and do that the days seem to slip by with out notice.
As you may know, my stay on board has been extended at the request of the Commanding Officer (CO), Captain Sinnett and Captain Getka, the Chief of Medicine at the Academy. The medical officer that was to relieve me sustained an injury requiring surgery and is not fit for duty. I will continue with the ship through the Panama Canal and return home in September.
We are currently at 24:35.785N and 112:33.080W. We are sailing west southwest off the coast of Baja California on route to a crossing of the equator and a landing on the Islands of the Galapagos.
CAPT Sinnett is a great CO and a gentleman. His wife is in the Auxiliary. The first week aboard after getting underway, at general quarters, in front of the whole crew, he welcomed me aboard as an official crew member and gave me an Eagle ball cap with gold scrambled eggs to wear. He knows that the Auxiliary wears silver only, but he gave me gold. The crew and other officers are really great. They treat me just like the other officers and make me feel like I have always been part of the crew.
The port at San Diego was incredible. We had 16,000 plus visitors over a 4 day lay over. The public treat us like rock stars. They know that Eagle is America's Tall Ship and are very proud that the Eagle is ours.
The local Auxiliarists who stand watch during the tours are amazed that an Auxiliarist is serving aboard as the medical officer. I asked the Boatswain to fly the Auxiliary ensign for them. It is now flying on the mains'l yardarm in port. The District Commodore gave me a new ensign to fly though the canal and asked me to mail it back to him upon my return. I did not tell him that while underway we fly the Auxiliary Operations Ensign. That one, I will bring back home to you all after the officers and crew have singed it.
During the first two weeks we had approximately 200 Swabs and Cadets onboard as well as a few VIPS. Due to the cramped living conditions we have been kept busy treating coughs colds, pink eye, sprains and strains, and minor lacerations. Sickbay is very well equipped with all that is needed. I have 2 excellent corpsmen that take care of most of the routine duties and all of the PAPERWORK.
My day begins at 0600. After washing and dressing, I make up my rack, pickup my stateroom and head to breakfast in the Wardroom with the officers. Sick call starts at 0800 where I see the new casualties of the night watches. By 1130 its back to the Wardroom for lunch then we have 30 minutes to prepare for general quarters.
All the different department heads meet in the Wardroom at 1245 to give their reports to the Captain. Operations, supply, engineering, Bosun and Medical, etc. After the XO and CO make their comments and give orders, we walk out to the Quarterdeck were the assembled crew await, standing at attention.
After the appropriate salutes are rendered, the Captain then briefs the entire crew. After he is finished, the Captain asks for any questions. Any crewmember no matter his or her rank or position is free to ask any question they so desire before the entire crew.
Today's questions revolve around our anticipated landing at the Galapagos.
After much paperwork and correspondence with the State Department by LCDR Glander, the Executive Officer (XO), we are informed that we will be permitted to anchor for 2 days of shore leave. Every one is excited but will have to pay $100 per person to the Galapagos National Park service.
After General Quarters we have a navigation brief on the bridge and then go to sail stations. After that, the day is spent in training, repairs and maintenance.
Everyone is encouraged to train for the different positions onboard. I have just completed my qualifications, taken my boards, and am now a Helmsman of the Watch. I have already begun to study for Navigator of the watch. To complete your qualifications you must pass the written test, then an oral board and must complete four watches of four hours long.
Tonight we will have movies on the waist "Batman Returns" and if there are no further sick calls will be in my rack by 2200 hrs.
That’s all for now, will send more words soon.
Bill Tejeiro
Thumbnails: Click on an image to see the full-resolution version.
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Auxiliary ensign from the mains'l yard in San Diego. |
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British admiral and me. |
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CAPT Sinnet and his medical officer. |
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LCDR Glander, XO, USCGC Eagle. |
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Linning the shrouds, inbound L.A. harbor. |
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Navigation station into port. |
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Sail station removing gaskets on the mains'l yards. |
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Ship's surgeon on the bridge. |
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Taking up the slack on line 3. |
~IJLA