The original 32 gun French frigate Hermione was constructed at Rochefort in 1779, and famously carried General La Fayette to America in 1780. He secured five frigates and 5,500 troops to aid the Americans in their struggle for independence. The Hermione served in Boston, and at the battle of Louisbourg before returning to France in 1782. She was then stationed in India but was wrecked on her return journey to France in 1792.
Construction of a replica ship commenced at Rochefort in 1997. In 2010 I carried out extensive research for the project, in order to submit a design that would be historically correct for the figurehead. Following which, I was awarded the contract to carve the figurehead. This was carried out at the dockyard in Rochefort, commencing in May 2011. The finished figure was unveiled on the 10th of November 2011.
The dry dock was flooded to effect her launch on the 6th of July 2012. Then commenced the task of masting and rigging. Jens Langert and Bjorn Ahlander who headed the rigging team on the Swedish replica ship Gotheborg, were awarded the contract for rigging providing the standing and running rigging, in preparation for her maiden voyage to America planned for 2015.
