In honor of the friendship between France and the United Stated, the French ship Hermione will travel 3,819 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to come to America. The ship will make a splash in the historic Yorktown where, with the help of French allies, British General Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington ending the war and ensuring America’s independence.
The Hermione, which took 17 years in the re-making, will arrive in Yorktown on June 5th, before sailing to 11 additional iconic ports. The grand arrival in Yorktown will be celebrated with a gun salute and fireworks. History aficionados, students, families and sailing fanatics can join by participating in tours on board or pier-side. There are a number of events scheduled such as historic shipbuilding crafts demonstrations, interactive conversations with the young volunteer sailors, and a lineup of cultural activities like costumed performances by seasoned re-enactors, concerts of period and contemporary music and food and craft exhibitions.
During the original journey in 1780, which was headed by French aristocrat and military officer Marquis de Lafayette, there were barrels of cognac onboard. In celebration of the original voyage, Hennessy has donated two barrels of limited edition Hennessy 250 Collector Blend. The barrels will go to charities, who have decided to auction off the cognac in Mount Vernon and New York. The auction is expected to raise $150,000 for worthy causes.
There are only 250 barrels available worldwide of the limited edition Hennessy.
The full itinerary includes:
- 8:20 a.m. – 21-gun salute, battery return and fireworks. Hermione moors at approx. 8:30 a.m.
- 10:00 a.m. – Arrival ceremony begins at Yorktown Riverwalk
- Following Yorktown, the historic ship will make its way to Alexandria on June 10.
Watch the voyage below:
(Featured photo via Shutterstock)
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