Event Coverage
Canadian News
18th Century Oak War Ship Sets Sail for Baltimore
By Bill Esler
Hermione, antiques
The French oak warship, Hermione, sets sail for Baltimore tomorrow. The recreation of the original 18th century French frigate, instrumental in supporting the American colonial rebellion against England, spent the weekend in Boston where crew members hosted visiting experts in woodworking. Demos included: Ship Caulking: Making and applying caulking, demonstrated by shipbuilder Joe Chetwynd; Trunneling: assembling planks using wooden nails/rods, demonstrated by staff  from
 

The Ship Helped Launch a Revolution 

 
the Essex Shipbuilding Museum; and Oar Assembly with Graham McKay of Lowell's Boat Shop demonstrating the construction of an oar on site at the ship. After two days in Baltimore (June 19-21) the Hermione sales for an appearance in Castine, ME July 14-15; and then to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, July 18.
 
Another notable oak warship is the USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides," the oldest wooden warship in service. Currently in drydock, the USS Constitution is undergoing restoration using white oak set aside by Navy Foresters in Crane, Indiana.
 

White Oak Rebuild for U.S.S. Constitution - Old Ironsides 

 
The ship's dry docking repair involves replacing deteriorated 40-foot-long hull planking and supporting structures with the same kind of wood used to build the ship in 1797. The Crane, Indiana forest includes nearly 150 GPS-located mature white oaks set aside for future use by Constitution.
 

The Hermione project is an international non-profit established for the project. Sponsors include Air France, Michelin and Moet Hennessy, as well as U.S. sponsors including the Daughters of the American Revolution. The committee effort was chaired by Henry Kissinger. The Hermione is a 12-pounder Concorde class frigate - the 12 referring to the size of its 24 guns. It was completed in Rochefort by the Asselin organization in 2014. It is a reproduction of the 1779 Hermione which achieved fame by ferrying General Lafayette to the United States in 1780 to allow him to rejoin the American side in the American Revolutionary War. 

Hermione Construction Used 3,000 Oak Trees: See Slide Show

The Friends of Lafayette-Hermione in America, Inc., a non-profit group, supports the Hermione Voyage 2015 while she is in the United States by partnering with local heritage and nautical groups, students and teachers K-through-12, and many cultural organizations, museums and universities to provide a full program of exciting educational, musical, culinary and special events during summer 2015. For more information, please visit: www.Hermione2015.com.

 

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About the author
Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.

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