Supplies of cognac have been loaded onto the vessel using strictly traditional methods...

[Surya Gayatri]

Last edited Sat Apr 18, 2015, 11:08 AM - Edit history (1)

Well, thank god for that. I was afraid they might have to sail completely sober!


Many of the replica vessel's 54 volunteers had never before been out at sea

This is the Hermione, faithful replica of the original French ship of that name, and the fruit of 20 years' devotion, ingenuity and sheer hard graft.

For it was the Hermione that in 1780 carried to Boston a young French aristocrat - Gilbert du Motier the Marquis de Lafayette - who more than 200 years later still wears the mantle of America's BFF: Best French Friend. Ever.


It is hoped that the new Hermione will play a role in reviving some of France's neglected maritime traditions

Completed in 1779 at the port of Rochefort, the Hermione (the French pronounce it Air-mee-on) was the pride of the French navy. She was small (216ft [65m] and 34 guns) but she was sleek and very fast.

In 1783 the English captured the Hermione's sister ship, the Concorde. Before putting her back to war under the Union Jack, they conducted a thorough study - to work out how she sailed so briskly.

Those plans were kept at naval headquarters in Greenwich - and two centuries later formed the basis for the Hermione recreation!

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32350305

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Who knew? The Brits had a hand in her resurrection as well!