Replica frigate l’ Hermione

In the town of Rochefort, south west of France, a team of passionated people have undertaken a tremendous challenge The reconstruction of the Hermione, the ship on which La Fayette embarked in 1780, to bring help and support to the American insurgents. You can visit the official website at http://www.hermione.com/en/

Thanks to the old salt blog for pointing out this video of a walkthrough of the nearly completed replica of l’ Hermione at Rochefort

looks wonderful

Thanks for that! Seems they are doing a superb job!

Wow. That looks incredible.

Imagine the smell of fresh cut wood in that place.

While the oldsaltblog answered some of my questions (15 years in construction so far), the "scale" of her is truly magnificent. I'll have to do some more research and follow her progress toward completion. Hope they'll provide more video along the way.

Thanks for the information.

Did alittle more research (unfortunately don't speak francais) but with the assistance of my "Premier" found this sight in Anglais.

I found this absolutely fascinating, hope you enjoy it:

www.hermione.com/en/home/

I'm wondering if the modern ship construction is "tighter" than the original. Will pumps need to be "manned" as much as in the original?

The ship is now afloat. As I don't speak French I don't know what is being said but some of the fittings such as gun carriages are also in evidence

Unless my eyes deceive me, that mast (laying in the horizontal with the square base) appears to be "laminated" squares of wood. An interesting concept, not that she'll ever be sailed "flat out", but I wonder what the "strength factor" is compared with a solid single timber mast?

She's a real "labor of Love".

She will be gorgeous when completed.

The ship has now had its launching ceremony

Wonderful. Can't wait to see her when she is all fitted out.

Anyone got any updates on how the fitting out is going?

I haven't seen any updates since the launch