The biggest outing on our list in the Vendee was to visit Rochefort and the Hermione, the replica of Lafayette's frigate that ferried him and his soldiers to the colonies to assist in the revolution. After visiting 5 times and seeing her from the outside, we would have a tour of the inside, given by one of the matelots, ordinary seamen, who sailed on her to the US this past summer.
Above is the Corderie, where rope was made back in the day. It is a long and skinny building because...rope is long and skinny. We visited the Corderie years ago, though, and today was all about L'Hermione.
On our way we passed a mockup of the rigging, where the sailors practiced for up to 2 years before
We also passed the dry docks, which accommodated two ships end to end.
And there she was!
And even though there were throngs of gawkers like us, work maintaining the ship went on.
The canons are not operational as canons. They allow for material to be placed inside for an explosion with noise ans smoke, but no canon balls were used on this voyage.
The captain's quarters. Of the crew of 80, 20 were paid professionals, including the officers, doctor and chefs. As for the volunteers, they had to be in good health, not given to dizziness, and able to take months away from their real lives to volunteers. Seasickness was not an issue, since, as our guide said, "you get over it."
Contrary to the articles we read before our visit, the Hermione had many features that the original lacked -- engines, electricity, water makers to make water, frozen foods kept in freezers, a modern kitchen, and some equipment including radios and a zodiac. I think I saw a depth sounder, too. And below, numbered harnesses of the traditional kevlar tape.
The infirmary.
The crew was half of the size of the original. On the one had it seemed like there was space and it would not be to crowded, since there were easily more than 80 people on the ship as we visited, with elbow room to move. Plus, at least a third of the crew was sleeping at any one time. But still, she seemed much larger on board than off.
A bientot, Hermione!
No comments:
Post a Comment