L'Hermione.

Extracts from Newport this week; Pat Blakeley.
L'Hermione, the almost authentic replica of the 210' ship that carried the Marquis de Lafayette to America with news of  French support for the revolution in 1780.
The reconstructed French frigate took almost 20 years and $30 million to build. The Hermione was the fastest ship of its day, and the replica was constructed to original specifications in Rochefort France, where the first ship was built. The original vessel took 11 months to build. her namesake used the 18th century building techniques to re-create the three masted frigate. Two thousand oak trees were selected for their size and curvature to make the hull, and 26 cannons were cast by the same foundry that had supplied armament for the first L'Hermione. More than 15 miles of rigging was needed to outfit the vessel, and 19 linen sails encompassing more than 2,200 square yards, were hand stitched.

The international crew of 72 professionals and volunteers. Approximately one third of the sailors are female.

The project not only honors the importance of the French in the success of the American Revolution, it also recognizes the pivotal role the Marquis de Lafayette played during the war. Lafayette was an enigma. Gilbert du Moutier, Marquis de Lafayette, was born in 1757 to one of France's oldest families. His ancestors served in the Crusades and alongside of Joan of Arc. Orphaned at 11, he inherited one of the  his nation's largest fortunes, but Lafayette was not impressed with status or riches, longing instead for military glory. He joined the army at age 14 and at 19 secured a commission, from a representative of the Continental Congress sent to France to recruit officers. King Louis  XV1 ordered Lafayette to remain in France , but he defiant young nobleman ignored him and set sail for america in 1777 to volunteer. He was commissioned a major general.
Even though he had no combat experience, the "boy general's" humility, bravery and enthusiasm for the revolution quickly won the hearts of Washington and the patriots, and he became known as "our marquis."
The bond between Washington and Lafayette grew so strong that they were more like a father and son than a commanding general and top officer. Lafayette proved himself invaluable in combat time and time again. In 1779 he returned to France to lobby for the cause, and less than a year later returned to America, this time by the king's order and as the representative of France. The marquis landed in Boston on L'Hermione to thunderous acclaim, bringing the news that a significant well-equipped military force would soon be arriving to aid in the fight for freedom, along with much needed supplies of arms and ammunition.
In July 1780, a French flotilla commanded by Admiral Chevalier de Ternay arrived in Newport carrying General Comte de Rochambeau and 6,000 soldiers. This began a year long sejourn in the city that lasted until June 1781, when the troops began the historic march to Yorktown with Washington, augmenting American forces to defeat Cornwallis.