NEW ORLEANS — The sounds of ship horns and ceremonial salutes echoed off the coast of New Orleans this week as the city marked the first stop of Sail 250, a nationwide celebration marking America's 250th birthday.
Large ships and military vessels from around the world docked along the Mississippi River as part of the months-long maritime celebration, offering the public a look inside ships that are rarely open to visitors.
Among them is the USCGC Eagle. She is known as “America's Great Ship,” a 295-foot training ship and the only active square-rigged vessel in service of the United States government.
Stepping aboard the Eagle is like stepping back in time.
With 23 sails, six miles of rigging and approximately 150 Coast Guard trainees on board, life aboard the ship still happens the old-fashioned way. Cadets climb towering masts, work rigging by hand, and train high on deck while learning the fundamentals of seamanship.
A USCGC Eagle crew member works on the ship's rigging during Sail 250 in New Orleans, showcasing the nautical skills taught aboard the historic training ship. (FOX)
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Beneath the cover is another reminder of American history: a newspaper print of the Declaration of Independence.
“Back then, the best technology was the newspaper, a single printed page,” says Seth Kaller, an expert in historical documents. “What people needed to hear, to be able to read, is the text of the Declaration of Independence. And that's how someone in 1776 would have experienced the Declaration of Independence.”
The Eagle serves as a training ground for future Coast Guard officers, teaching leadership, teamwork and technical navigation skills.
“And for 80 years, since 1946, this ship has sailed with future officers of the United States Coast Guard,” said Capt. Christopher Ensley, commanding officer of the USCGC Eagle. “Teach leadership, teamwork, technical skills like seamanship and navigation and, frankly, spice them up, prepare them to serve at sea.”
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That training eventually leads to ships like the USCGC Mohawk, where Coast Guard crews conduct modern missions ranging from immigration interdictions to counter-drug operations.
“We have two small boats on board that we use almost every day and they help us do all of our missions that we can't just do on a larger boat,” said Ensign Riley Thorburn aboard the Mohawk.
But Sail 250 doesn't just show history. It also highlights modern military life at sea.
Docked nearby is the USS Kearsargean amphibious assault ship that houses nearly 3,000 sailors and Marines during deployment, including about 1,250 sailors and 1,800 Marines. Inside, the ship functions as a floating city, with pilots, flight crews, cooks, doctors and firefighters all working around the clock while deployed around the world.
“Every sailor is a firefighter to some degree,” said damage control officer Allison Anutta during a firefighting demonstration aboard the Kearsarge.
Sailors don firefighting gear during a damage control demonstration with FOX aboard USS Kearsarge. (FOX)
Fox News met with sailors and Marines during the ship's voyage to New Orleans, getting a firsthand look at daily life, including the use of firefighting equipment used during emergency response drills.
The ship's firefighting capability is part of a broader mission set that extends far beyond combat operations. The Kearsarge can be configured to carry around eight F-35 aircraft depending on mission requirements and supports a wide range of deployments, from humanitarian response to combat readiness.
Also on board is a 39-person fleet surgical team responsible for stabilizing and treating patients at sea.
“We are a microcosm of the American population,” said Cmdr. Timothy Brooks, senior medical officer aboard the ship. “All the chronic health problems that occur in the United States also ended here… and so we are doing everything we can to maintain good overall health.”
Other crew members described the versatility and pride of their roles.
“We rescue, protect and deliver, anytime, anywhere in the world,” explained Naval Aircrewman Bryan Morch.
The arrival in New Orleans also featured ceremonial moments, including a 21-gun salute and the sound of ships' horns echoing along the Mississippi River as the fleet marked the start of the national celebration.
For the Marines aboard the ship, the mission is based on service and sacrifice.
“Greater love has no one than to lay down one's life for a friend,” US Marine Grace Shneider quoted from the book of John in the Bible. “When I think about the military, I think about that.”
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, crew members said they see their work as part of a continuing legacy of service and history.
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An HSC-26 helicopter is seen on the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge while the amphibious assault ship is docked in New Orleans for Sail 250. (FOX)
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“Anyone who wants to raise their right hand to serve the country…can't help but appreciate the history of great things that have happened before,” the commander said. Brooks said.
The Sail 250 fleet will continue its journey up the East Coast with upcoming stops in Norfolk, Baltimore, New York and Boston as celebrations continue across the country.
