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Image: Hermione Voyage Facebook

Hermione - A Heroine of the American Revolution Returns

Posted 26 March 2015 by Carol Brighton

Known as the Freedom Frigate, it was the Hermione that carried the Marquis de Lafayette to deliver the game changing news of France’s participation in the American Revolution.  On March 14 of 1781, the Marquis arrived in Yorktown and played a key role in the naval blockade that led to the surrender of Cornwallis and the end of the war later that year.

In commemoration of his service to our country, the General Assembly passed legislation during the 2015 session designating March 14th as “Lafayette Day” in Virginia.  On that date, a reef laying ceremony was held in the Richmond at the State Capitol.

An authentic replica of the Hermione has painstakingly been reconstructed using 18th Century shipbuilding techniques in France. In the spirit of friendship and to celebrate France’s important role in the founding of our nation, the Hermione will embark from France April 18 to call on American ports this summer. 

Departing France with a volunteer crew of 72, the iconic warship will navigate the Atlantic to a fitting first stop at Yorktown, VA scheduled for June 5-7.  The vessel will then sail up the East Coast.  As a museum, the tall ship will be open to the public for sailor-guided tours, with a full program of educational initiatives, cultural activities and pier-side events at each port. Philadelphia will host a recreation of the meal aboard the Hermione that the Continental Congress enjoyed with George Washington and Lafayette at City Tavern, the oldest tavern in America.

The Hermione Route     
           
June 5, 6, 7                        Yorktown, VA
June 9                                  Mount Vernon, VA (at anchor)
June 10, 11, 12                 Alexandria, VA  (city dock)
June 16, 17                         Annapolis, MD (city dock)
June 19, 20, 21                 Baltimore, MD
June 25, 26, 27, 28         Philadelphia, PA
July 1, 2, 3, 4                    New York, NY
July 6, 7                              Greenport, NY
July 8, 9                              Newport, RI (Fort Adams)
July 11, 12                          Boston, MA – (Rowe's Wharf)
July 14, 15                         Castine, ME
July 18                                 Lunenburg, Nova Scotia 

Hermione Yorktown Event Schedule

Read more here. You can follow the voyage of the Hermione via facebook, twitter and through the voyage website. The first sea trial September 2014 is recorded on the youtube video.

 

 

 

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