USCGC Eagle was designated the flagship of the 2026 Sail250 fleet for America's 250th anniversary.
Sail250 was organized as a major tall-ship celebration connected with the United States Semiquincentennial. The fleet visited several American ports during the summer of 2026, with participating vessels representing the United States and numerous other nations.
USCGC Eagle is the training barque of the United States Coast Guard. Built in Germany in 1936 as Horst Wessel, it was acquired by the United States after World War II and renamed Eagle. The ship is used to train Coast Guard officer cadets in navigation, seamanship, and leadership.
The Eagle is sometimes confused with USS Constitution, the historic U.S. Navy frigate known as “Old Ironsides.” Constitution also participated in the 2026 fleet, but Sail250's designated flagship was Eagle. The two ships represent different services and different eras of American maritime history.