Work on the Hermione in Rochefort enters new phase

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Tuesday saw the placement of a 100kg capstan on the frigate Hermione, marking a new phase in the building of the iconic eighteenth century vessel.

The project, which was started on July 4 1997, aims to build an exact replica of the 45m frigate that carried the Marquis Lafayette across the Atlantic in 1780 to join the fight against the English in the War of Independence. 

Work has progressed slower than planned in the double dry-dock in Rochefort, and the original objective of the boat making the Atlantic crossing to Boston in 2011 will not now be achieved.  Instead the boat should be ready to re-trace Lafayette's route in the spring of 2012, although as ever funding continues to be an issue.   

A kind donation of 500,000€ from the American foundation Florence-Gould back in September has undoubtedly kept work progressing, but a further three million euros will be needed to finish the project. 

The project is appealing for people to renew their membership of the Hermione-Lafayette association at the moment, with an additional incentive that all members will have their name engraved on the vessel.  In addition, one lucky member will be drawn to go on the historic Atlantic crossing in spring 2012.

In the meantime, TV crews from the channel Thalassa are currently on board, creating a programme that will be aired on February 13.

The Hermione is already a tourist attraction in its own right, and this year welcomed 240,000 visitors.  You can view the Hermione-Lafayette website (in English) by clicking here.