"Vive L’Hermione!" Topic

Just got back from visiting L'Hermione and thought you all might enjoy some of the crude snaps I took with my infernal device. I cropped a couple, otherwise they are unedited. I'll embed a few here, and link to my Imgur album.

imgur.com/a/PpMm1

Most of these are detail oriented, ship-nerd pictures. No apologies for that! Between the crowd on board and the limited areas we were allowed to move in, it was hard to get all the shots I wanted. As you probably know, L'Hermione is a reproduction 18thC frigate, built using the materials and techniques of her period, and with the absolute minimum of modern infringements. She also just recently finished her 34 day transatlantic crossing, so I figured this would be the best opportunity to get images of an AoS fighting vessel in actual sea service.

FYI, the long twelves and sixes are real iron, not fiberglass or resin. This was a conscious decision to give the ship her historic trim. I believe they are not fully bored.

A few random thoughts…

As mentioned, visitors are restricted to a pretty small area. I hoped, but didn't expect, to get below decks or at least into the waist. Both were off limits. Understandable, considering this is a real, working ship. In one of the pics you can see a slung hammock through the port just aft of the anchor and there were crew visible through the grating, going about their business below decks.

The crew is all volunteer and very pleasant. Unfortunately, they speak barely any English. I was slightly disappointed at this as I had a few questions about their training, voyage, etc. Again, I figured it was as close as I'd ever get to asking an AoS crewman about striking yards on deck, or close reefing sails in a storm.

Huge crowds! It was gratifying to see so many people of all ages interested in the ship. Then again, Annapolis is a drinking town with a sailing problem…

There was no organized tour, which was fine by me. They just let people on in bunches and allow them to wander around until they feel like getting off. You can ask the crew questions, but again, the language difficulty makes this pretty much an exercise in futility.

Great pics. Thanks for sharing.

awesome! ill be seeing it in philly next week! i cant wait

I'm in love!
Be safe
Rory

I went aboard this past Friday in Alexandria. Awesome. The female crew will impress you almost as much as the vessel.

Word of advice. Get your tickets early.

One working gun only. Larboard.

I think we should send in the RN to cut her out.

Thanks for posting this, I've been following her. Unfortunately I won't get a chance to visit her. She does at the very least have some saluting guns aboard as I have seen her fire a salute.

It was confusing WRT the guns. They didn't fire any salutes from the ship today; there were AWI reenactors on the dock with a 3pdr popping off occasionally. While waiting in line, one of the volunteers from USS Constellation told a group of people that they had "some guns" that were bored sufficiently to fire a saluting charge.

Another cool thing I realized while waiting in line (for 2 hours) is their commitment to authenticity extends to keeping time by the ship's bell.

Pyrate Captain, there were only two ladies on watch while I was there, one of whom ate grapes in the most seductive manner possible. If they weren't sailing on the morning tide, I would have asked for permission to come aboard.

In case anybody is wondering, there is no charge to tour the ship. Before you board, there is a voluntary donation box to cover general expenses and once aboard there is a similar one to assist the crew. Next stops are Bal'mer, then Philly, NYC, Greenport, Newport, and Boston. Her last POCs are Castine, Maine and Lunenburg, NS.

Beautiful. Now the "Rose" has someone to fight if they ever make another Sailing Warfare film as good as "Master and Commander…"

if they ever make another sailing warfare film at all. if they wait much longer they'll be able to just reboot the aubrey/maturin series anyway because people already barely know what master and commander is anymore

I saw her being built in LaRochelle in 2010 and been following her progress with interest ever since.

It has helped to regenerate the town, I know the answer befor I ask the question, why don't other towns with a naval tradition and a dieing skills base do the same- MONEY.

I see tall ships regularly, but there is nothing to compare with a sailing war ship.

The crew don't speak English because they are French.

The French are almost as bad as the English speaking countries for not learning a second language, and if they do it will probable be German, Spanish or Italian.

I guess I was surprised because they were all so young. Also, this was specifically a tour of the USA…