A Symbol of Freedom
In 1780, the original frigate was constructed in a naval base located in a town in the southwest of France, Rochefort. It was on this ship that General Lafayette traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to inform George Washington of France’s military support for America’s efforts to gain independence from the grip of the English monarchy. After carrying General Lafayette, the frigate fought at sea throughout the Revolutionary War. Today’s Hermione, built between 1997 and 2014, is an exact replica of the ship that sailed in the 18th century, mentioned Marketing Manager, Isabelle Georget. “This large ‘three-maste’ ship of 1,200 tons, 2,200 m2 linen sails, and 65 meters in length is the largest sailing wooden replica in the world,” explained Georget. It was built using the same craftsmanship and materials as the original one in the 18th century. How incredible!
Besides the ship, a model of the crew has been replicated as well. How often does one have the opportunity to sail across the Atlantic Ocean on a historical replica, while actually maneuvering the ship? Over 600 volunteers have had the incredible opportunity to do just that! “As in the 18th century, on the Hermione, all maneuvers are carried out using arm power. There is no maneuvering aid equipment,” clarified Georget. “To operate the sails and rigging, the young volunteers must climb the mast to a height of 42 meters,” she added. Although equipped with engines, at sea, the frigate navigates almost completely by the force of the wind and its sails. Georget concluded, “Necessarily, on board, discipline is strict. Solidarity between crew members, and the strength of the collective, are essential!”
The Adventures of a Lifetime!
The first time this amazing replica set sail to the United States was in 2015. “This inaugural journey in the “traces of Lafayette” met with immense popular and media success,” mentioned Georget. The Hermione made 11 stops in ports on the East Coast of the United States, including Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston. In the association, there are 200 young volunteers that are trained before embarking. This time around, each time at sea between two ports, 60 young volunteers and 20 professional sailors were needed for navigation. At each port, the Hermione was open to the public during the day. Visitors were welcomed on board by the crew dressed in 18th-century costumes, who explained the history of the frigate to visitors. In the evening, numerous private evenings were organized for corporate sponsors and donors. In total, during the American stopovers, the frigate welcomed more than 51,000 visitors! The round trip lasted four months! While the trip in 2025 will not have as many stops, the hope is for it to be just as successful. Other trips were taken over the years as well. In total, the Hermione has taken four trips, traveled 22,000 miles of sea, visited three continents, and 36 ports of call.
Discovering Damage and Beginning Repairs
In June 2021, the Hermione-Lafayette association unexpectedly discovered damage to the wooden hull while performing a regulatory dry dock and preparing for a trip in spring 2022. Georget notes that the reason for the degradation of the wood of the hull was because of the slow-growing fungi cellar polypore and lenzite. Specific temperature conditions and humid and poorly ventilated environments are ideal conditions for these fungi to thrive. Unfortunately, the ship was a breeding ground. Therefore, the association needed to postpone its travel plan in order to preserve the frigate.
In the fall of 2021, the frigate was assessed by a group of experts composed of scientists, maritime experts, and carpenters. While being assessed in Anglet at a dry dock, the extent of the repair work was evaluated. After several months, the experts confirmed that the frigate was repairable, but the restoration work would be crucial. The Asselin company, involved in the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and the GUIP company, an expert in the construction of traditional wooden boats, are two of the companies that have been entrusted to the repair projects. Both of these companies specialize in heritage restoration, so the Hermione is in good hands. Additionally, “to guarantee the seriousness and management of the work, the association commissioned the Yacht Concept Company, a firm of naval architects, in charge of validating the phasing of the work,” explained Georget. It is safe to say that the Hermione-Lafayette association is taking these repairs seriously and contracting only the best to complete the work.
The best is undoubtedly needed to repair a part as complex as the wooden hull. The hull of the Hermione is made up of more than 400,000 wooden pieces. Naturally, the repair site is a complex one, in technical terms, due to having to sample various pieces of wood. To repair and replace the damaged wooden parts, it is necessary to dismantle the hull. New parts will need to be made. “This extraordinary project requires exceptional time and know-how,” explained Georget. To prevent this problem from recurring in the future, and to prevent this type of damage, the association has taken the precaution of providing new technical solutions, such as forced ventilation of the ship’s structure, antifungal treatment, and the use of glued laminated oak wood instead of solid oak.
Preparing for Relaunch and Returning to Sea
As exciting as the relaunch is, the needed reparations must be complete to ensure a safe voyage, as the hull safeguards against weather, flooding, or structural damage. As of right now, the association has ambitions for spring 2025, but that is only possible if enough financial support is gathered on time. The anticipated date is not fixed, but the association is hopeful that it will not be beyond 2026! For now, the focus is on repairing the ship as quickly as possible. Once the frigate is repaired, the goal is to return to the United States. The training missions at the dock and at the sea are continuing and so is the training of other young volunteers. “On the occasion of an upcoming trip to the United States, the idea of being able to form a crew of young Franco-Americans excites us very much,” remarked Georget.
Partnering with Friends of Fondation de France
Currently, the Hermione-Lafayette association is trying to raise nearly 5 million euros so that the Hermione can sail again! This money will help continue the association’s restoration efforts. Donations will help the Hermione return to sea and sail again on a great voyage to America! The Hermione continues to represent Lafayette’s defense of the rights of man and the people’s freedom, and it continues to carry the message of liberty. Thanks to Friends of Fondation de France, US donors who wish to support the restoration of the Hermione can make tax-deductible gifts to the fullest extent of the law.
