A replica of the 18th century ship that took a French general on his voyage to become a hero of the American war of independence was to set sail again on Saturday, cheered off by thousands of well-wishers and President Francois Hollande.
Big crowds gathered to wish bon voyage to the painstakingly recreated tall ship Hermione, leaving from Ile d’Aix, in southwest France, for the east coast of the United States.
The French and American flags were raised on the wooden frigate and crew members made last minute preparations for their Atlantic crossing retracing the voyage 235 years ago of General Lafayette, who won fame for rallying America’s rebels fighting for independence from Britain.
The ship was to set sail at 2030 GMT, with a first stop due in the Canary Islands, before continuing across the Atlantic Ocean.
— AFP