Chaucer’s Books, 3321 State St., hosts Santa Barbara author Will Sofrin for a book talk and signing of “USCG Cutter Eagle: The Legacy of the Coast Guard’s Flagship,” 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18.
“USCG Cutter Eagle” is the story of how the Coast Guard transformed a captured World War II ship into a national symbol and a platform for diplomacy
USCG Cutter Eagle has been an integral part of the United States Coast Guard since her commissioning in 1946, serving as both a training ship and a representation of the Coast Guard’s commitment to excellence, Chaucer’s said.
Originally built in Germany as the Horst Wessel and sailed under the Nazi flag, she was taken as a war prize after World War II and transformed into a vessel that reflects America’s democratic ideals.
Eagle trains USCG Academy cadets, offering instruction in navigation, ship handling, and the rigors of life at sea.
“She embodies the hard work, discipline, and sacrifice that members of the Coast Guard dedicate to protecting the nation, often in less publicized yet critical roles,” Chaucer’s said.
Sofrin’s book traces Eagle’s history from her origins in WWII through nearly eight decades of U.S. service, told through the lens of cadet and crew experiences.
It captures the transformative nature of life aboard, where young men and women confront the sea while learning to lead, endure hardship, and work together as a team.
Leadership is a central theme in Eagle’s mission. Serving as a floating classroom, the ship cultivates leadership skills in future officers by teaching them to lead under pressure, make critical decisions, and motivate others in a demanding environment.
Training aboard goes beyond military command; it prepares cadets for roles in diverse sectors, helping them meet the challenges of teamwork, resilience, and communication. The lessons prepare leaders for any career that requires purpose and the ability to guide others toward a goal.
“Eagle also represents a unique intersection between leadership and international diplomacy,” Chaucer’s said. “She sails to ports around the world, participating in goodwill missions that promote cultural exchange, mutual respect, and cooperation among nations.”
Sofrin is a master shipwright who has taught at MIT, and has built boats for Billy Joel and Estée Lauder. As a former professional sailor and licensed captain, he has tracked more than 30,000 blue-water miles.
Today Sofrin is a freelance writer for maritime periodicals, continues to race sailboats, and explores the coast of California with his wife and daughter.
He is the author of “All Hands on Deck” (Abrams) and an advisor on the exhibit committee for the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum.
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