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CHANGE OF DOCKING LOCATION AND TOUR TIMES FOR "AMERICA'S TALL SHIP" U.S. COAST GUARD BARQUE EAGLE
Wilmington, NC: Due to time constraints and safety concerns, the United States Coast Guard Barque Eagle will not dock in Downtown Wilmington as originally planned. The good news is that free tours are still available. "America's Tall Ship" will now dock at the North Carolina State Port in Wilmington.
To accommodate public access on the State Port, buses will transport people to the ship. Tickets are required to board buses. Tickets will be available at designated locations and times (see Ticketing section). Buses will depart on Saturday (9am-4pm) and Sunday (9am-11am) from Legion Stadium (2149 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington) to transport people with tickets to the N.C. State Port for tours of the Barque Eagle. Only buses will be permitted to enter the State Port.
Revised public tour dates/hours for USCG Barque Eagle:
Saturday, August 7: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. & Sunday, August 8: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
TICKETING:
Tickets are free of charge and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. These tickets are expected to go quickly. A limited number of advance tickets and a limited number of weekend tickets will be available at designated locations (see How to Obtain Tickets section). Please note that tickets will not be available at Legion Stadium or at the State Port.
Tickets must be presented to board one of the buses. No exceptions.
How to Obtain Tickets.
· In Advance: A limited number of tickets will be available on Wednesday, August 4;Thursday, August 5; and Friday, August 6 between the hours of 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the City of Wilmington's Recreation Office, located at 302 Willard Street in Wilmington. If you have questions, please call 910-341-7855.
· Weekend: A limited number of tickets for Saturday and Sunday tours will be available only on Saturday, August 7 at the USCG Cutter Diligence parking lot, located at 109 N. Water Street in Downtown Wilmington between the hours of 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. (while supply lasts). No tickets will be distributed on Sunday.
Tickets will indicate a scheduled tour time. Please plan to arrive at Legion with your tickets 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure. Passengers are limited to two small carry-on pieces (purse, camera case, etc.). Please note there may be delays due to security and other logistical issues.
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OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO VIEW THE EAGLE:
For a fee, independent river tour companies will run cruises to view the USCG Barque Eagle from the water. Cruises do not provide tours of the tall ship. For cruise dates, times, fees, and more information, contact the cruise companies directly:
Cape Fear Riverboats (910-343-1611) Tours on Fri., Sat., Sun. depart from Dock St. at Water St., Downtown Wilmington.
Wilmington Water Tours (910-399-5323) Tours on Fri., Sat., Sun. depart from 212 S. Water St. (between Orange & Ann Sts.), Downtown Wilmington.
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Fort Fisher Will Fire Cannons to Welcome the Eagle!
Contact: Amy Manor Thornton (910) 458-5538 x201
Si Lawrence, III (910) 458-5538 x208
Release: Aug. 3, 2010
Fort Fisher Files Float Plan to Salute USCG Tall Ship Eagle
KURE BEACH - On Friday, August 6, Fort Fisher State Historic Site will conduct a ceremonial cannon salute to the USCG Cutter Eagle as she sails up the Cape Fear River en route to the State Port in Wilmington. The salute to the Eagle and crew will be made with the site's 32-pounder located atop Shepherd's Battery on the west side of the fort.
Site officials say the exact time of the cannon firing will be dependent on the Eagle's progress up river, but estimate the ship will likely pass by around 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.
Based in New London, Connecticut, the 295-feet long Eagle has long-served as a training vessel for U.S. Coast Guard cadets and officer candidates. She is America's only active duty square rig tall ship.
"This is a great opportunity to salute the Eagle and, at the same time, show the public just what Fort Fisher is all about," said Site Manager Jim Steele.
Site visitors, residents, and motorists are advised that noise from the cannon firing is extremely loud. Visitors are warned to stay out of barricaded firing ranges for their own safety. Smoking is prohibited in the firing areas. Visitors are cautioned to turn down any hearing aids, warn children, and control pets during the firing. Due to circumstances beyond the site's control, this event is subject to change.
Fort Fisher, the largest earthen fortification in the Confederacy, once protected the port of Wilmington and the vital blockade running trade on the Cape Fear River. After two massive bombardments, the fort fell to a Union infantry assault on January 15, 1865. With the capture of Fort Fisher, Wilmington's port-"the lifeline of the Confederacy"-was closed to foreign trade.
Fort Fisher State Historic Site is part of the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency with the mission to enrich lives and communities, and the vision to harness the state's cultural resources to build North Carolina's social, cultural and economic future. Information on Cultural Resources is available 24/7 at www.ncculture.com.
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