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L'Hermione Update, Back in Brest Again!

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The past week or so the volunteers and crew of L'Hermione have gotten a real taste of what they are in for in the spring of next year when they make their voyage across the Atlantic to America! After returning from the southern English coast, and spending a day or two in port, they set off out past the coastal shipping lanes of the Celtic Sea and into the open North Atlantic to get a real taste of what sailing is!

Unfortunately, I could not tell how far out they went because the track on MarineTraffic.com stopped once they left the coastal waters. It seems that you have to pay for the commercial upgrade package to be able to track them by satellite out in the open ocean on MarineTraffic.com. That is unfortunate, and means that we won't be able to track them for free through most of their voyage next spring. I am sure though that their blog will be updated regularly as it has been since they set out for sea trials in September.

I got a screen grab of this on Thursday, it shows L'Hermione's max speed as 54.5 knots! :8q I am sure it is probably just a data anomaly, but I got this pic to prove it just in case!

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L'Hermione is currently back in Brest, and will be heading back to her home port of Rochfort soon, to winter over in her drydock. Where she will once again be accepting visitors until she sets sail again in April for her voyage to America in 2015. She will also look just a bit different when she sets sail, she will have her stern lantern installed over the winter as well!

Some stretching, physical fitness and other... routines that I am pretty sure were not practiced aboard the original Herminone back in 1780!


Music aboard L'Hermione, also the only video filmed on board in English I have found so far.


An interview with Antoine, lieutenant navigation L'Hermione


This next video is an interview with Loïc, Messman of L'Hermione. It also shows some of the luxuries that they have aboard L'Hermione that were certainly not on the original!


I have also included the translated text of a French article I found about the construction of L'Hermione to provide a littel background I don't think I have included in my articles before. Also, France TV 2 ran some 5
minute video shorts filmed aboard L'Hermione and shown during news broadcasts this week. I have included links to those as well, and a translation of the accompanying French texts!

http://www.bateaux.com/article/18863/Dossier-special-Hermione-%96-La-reconstitution-des-plans

Hermione - The story of the rebuilding plans
François Asselin, director of the company structure Asselin, explains how they were able to reconstruct the plans Hermione identically.

Hermione - The story of the rebuilding plans

It is in the Arsenal of Rochefort, on the banks of the Charente, the company rebuilt the Asselin Hermione, as the original was in the same position and place in 1778. "We were there before there are pieces of wood. we built the hull, mast and all the many things inside, "explains François Asselin. It is a long history of 17 years the company has developed Asselin with Hermione, until the release of the Frigate early September. "It is since 1997, and studies since 1996 until the eve of launching non-stop."

Plans to reconstruct successfully copy

"The philosophy of the project was to make possible the more archaeological reconstruction. We left historical records that we had in our possession. In the archives of the French Navy, we found a table of figures Chevillard Elder, the master builder Hermione. this table was a sort of parts list with all the sizing, feet, inches and online. it is through this time that we could make the footprint to paper scale 1, the sketch, and the whole structure of Hermione. that was the essential document that allowed us to start. Hermione was part of a group of four frigates, which were built on the same plane. There was the Concorde, the Fairy, the courageous and then Hermione. Searches were then made to these archives. by chance, if you will, of Concord, was captured at sea in the 18th Caribbean by the English. At the time, the English enemies, were records of captured ships for industrial espionage. Our boats were faster and they sought to understand what our secrets. We then addressed the archives of the Royal Navy in Greenwich, and we got copies of documents. So, from the tables of French numbers, and plans sistership, we could pass the data to be the closest to a pageant. "

"At the same time, many other documents like encyclopedias were found. We also went to survey in England, in a historic armory at Portsmouth, but also in Boston. There was a lot of work done upstream with a historical committee, which was constituted to ensure that this project is really the identical as possible to the original reconstruction. "
http://www.francetvinfo.fr/france/v...e-lhermione-fregate-de-la-liberte_729913.html
http://www.francetvinfo.fr/france/v...e-lhermione-fregate-de-la-liberte_729913.html

The Marquis de La Fayette had embarked on the Hermione in 1780 to bring a message of support from Louis XVI to the American rebels in their struggle for independence.

It took 17 years to build this replica of the ship La Fayette. Hermione is about to cross the Atlantic to return the footsteps of his ancestor. Before the big day, the frigate performs some tests on the Atlantic coast. First stage of his journey to Bordeaux. The three-masted fascinated onlookers. "It's beautiful, you can not imagine the work," marvels a pass.
80 sailors aboard

Dozens of volunteer sailors embarked on this great adventure. Before that, they were trained in a few days. Volunteers are supervised by professional sailors. All dream of living an extraordinary adventure. the welcomes a new marine micro France 2.

12,500 visitors have visited the ship during its stopover in Bordeaux.

http://www.francetvinfo.fr/france/a-bord-de-lhermione-la-fregate-de-la-liberte_730755.html

Hermione is the replica of the frigate La Fayette which rallied America in 1780. The ship cast off, ready to take the ocean. The frigate left Bordeaux to spend several weeks at sea off the coast of Brittany. For voluntary marine, adventure finally begins: "There was emotion the first time we felt the boat move you can feel the start," says a crew member of the micro France 2.
A beautiful escort to the ocean


The frigate is escorted by a dozen boats throughout the crossing of the estuary of the Gironde. "I've never seen so many people go. It looks like a start of Figaro. It's amazing," enthuses the commander.

Hermione finally reached the ocean and deploys its sails. "This is a unique experience, it's a boat time. For me it is really something motivating. Knowing how far we can go, self-transcendence," enthuses one of the topmen .

If a man falls overboard, it is not rescued by Hermione but a zodiac. The crew therefore leads to put water in less than 2.30 minutes. The position of controls, it is hard to imagine that we are on an old rig, so the technology is there. At nightfall, Hermione crosses the Jeanne d'Arc, the famous school ship, which saw its last hours of navigation before being dismembered. One hand, the other docks for the last time.

http://www.francetvinfo.fr/culture/...lhermione-la-fregate-de-lafayette_731621.html

3.30am. Volunteers and sailors The Herminone out of bed with difficulty Three teams work day and night. Hardly time to swallow a cup of coffee or tea that is already on the bridge. Their mission? Make sure the ship glides over the ocean safely and to alert potential obstacles in the water. Not easy when there is no lighting on the bridge.

The following morning is challenging for mind and body. Blame sailing conditions Dante. You have to climb aloft, more than 25 meters in height, so that the mainsail tearing. No idle. "The hardest thing is to keep sailing," said a sailor showing his damaged hands, "It became very hard, very rough, very heavy." Test the reaction and endurance of sailors, is the purpose of this trip off the French coast.
Prove that they are real sailors

Dolphin point the tip of their nose. Marine sure they announce the return of warm weather. And it's true: the sun breaks through the clouds again. But no time to rest, we must take the maneuvers.

After these difficult times, the frigate anchored in the bay of Douarnenez. The opportunity for the crew to breathe. Finally. Volunteers are still two days before the arrival in Brest to prove they are real sailors.

http://www.francetvinfo.fr/culture/...e-lhermione-fregate-de-la-liberte_732527.html

The crew of the Hermione made her stretching with the physio on board before performing the maneuvers. Objective: To avoid tendonitis and blockages. Pierre-Jean and Oriane at the helm for the first time, a difficult task for this ship is 65 meters long. "This is a historic moment in my life I think," said the girl.

200 maneuvers take place at the same time. Mariners should all remember and still be in shape. In the kitchen, the chef does not skimp on the portions for 162 meals to be prepared every day. "On a boat like this one where it requires a great expenditure of energy was increased quantities of meat, a little inflated the amounts of vegetables and starches."
"This is an exceptional yacht"

The master carpenter is another indispensable man aboard. It continuously monitors the boat. That day, replace the pieces of wood that hold the mizzen mast to the rear of the frigate.

Hermione sails for the first time at sea. "This is an exceptional boat as we see very rarely," enthuses the captain. The challenge is successful for the maritime history enthusiasts who began the site 17 years ago in the old arsenal of Rochefort. They wanted to find the performance of the past, under the same conditions of the time. Crazy bet, but sure bet.

http://www.francetvinfo.fr/france/v...e-lhermione-fregate-de-la-liberte_733335.html


Hermione set sail. Volunteers maneuvered back to the capstan, it weighs two tons. The operation takes about half an hour of effort. The frigate is now heading towards Brest. During this first week of sailing, volunteers have demonstrated their desire to learn quickly and often demonstrated qualities of professional sailors. "They were efficient, brave as to tighten the sail must be" welcomed the captain.
A first trip "physical" and "emotional"

Prior to arrival, Oriane overcomes her fear and rises in the mature. Once there, she spares no effort to go sailing at arm's length. "It's physical, it's good from time to time," she whispers. Finally, Hermione arrived in a military port for a technical stopover and refueling. "It's moving, it was like with Rochefort. Brest, a construction vessels. With Toulon, these are the three major seaports of the eighteenth century" welcomes the captain.

Volunteers now dream of America. The Great Adventure will be held in April 2015, following in the footsteps of the Marquis de Lafayette. "The journey to the United States happen. Until then, I had trouble imagining how was life on board now, it gives even more desire," said a sailor. Meanwhile, all keep a wonderful memory of the first adventure.
 

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Good reading! It shows the hard work needed to sail this ship. Half an hour to raise an anchor. They need strong hands and strong ankles and lots of callouses.
 
Thanks mate! Glad you enjoyed it, I have very much enjoyed reading and watching all the videos I have found on her, it is really quite fascinating. I love how those videos show off some of the new conveniences that are aboard L'Hermione, yet they also show just how much work it actually is to sail this incredible vessel!

It is now 6 months away from L'Hermione's voyage, and I have yet to see any major American media coverage about this ship at all. I suppose I really should not be surprised. I have asked several people I have talked to in person in the past year or so if they know who the Marquis de Lafayette was, the best answer I have gotten so far was "some French dude." I have yet to find anyone who actually knows he was part of the American Revolution, let alone that it would not have succeeded without him!

I am still debating going to see her in either Boston or New York. As much as I would love to see her in person though I don't think I could handle being the only one in the crowd who knows what she is. I can hear them now... "Oh look, a pirate ship!" :rolleyes:
 
Ya, I would love to go there but just don't see how. Too many obligations here.
 
I understand completely mate, the only reason I might be able to go is because I don't have any commitments to hold me back at that time. It would be a much more expensive trip for you as well, I only have about a third of the country to cross.

I would sure like to get some up close and person pictures and video of her though, maybe even get a chance to talk to some of her crew. From the video above, I know at least one of them speaks English!
 
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