Our second bog outing while in the Vendee was a boat trip arranged by Jeanne for us to view the first shakedown
cruise of the Hermione, a newly built frigate replicating her historical
name-sake. We had visited years ago when the work began, when you
could see inside and watch the work going on. Now she is finished and
preparing for her voyage to Boston next year.
We took a boat from the Port de Peche through the bay, awaiting the arrival of the ship. Our first glimpse was of her three masts as she made her way from the estuary, lined with throng os people, to the bay.
She was met by probably a thousand boats, including kayaks, sailboats and motor boats of all sizes, that crowded around her, despite the presence of many police and military boats trying to protect her. In the photo above, she greeted her fans with a round of canon fire, although we are not sure they really fired anything.
Some fo the crew had tee shirts, others were in more traditional dress.
More about L'Hermione can be found at her
website and blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment