![Crew members prepare for the departure of the French tall...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
Crew members prepare for the departure of the French tall ship Hermione from Yorktown on Monday afternoon.
![The Hermione, a replica of an 18th century sailing ship,...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
The Hermione, a replica of an 18th century sailing ship, travels down the York River before docking in Yorktown on Friday morning, June 5, 2015.
![Hermione Superintendent Bruno Gravellier looks at a sample of Cognac...]()
Francois Mori / AP
Hermione Superintendent Bruno Gravellier looks at a sample of Cognac as two barrels of Hennessy Cognac are loaded aboard of the frigate Hermione in La rochelle, southwest France, Friday, March 13, 2015. The replica of the frigate Hermione, which, in 1780, allowed La Fayette to cross the Atlantic to America and join the American rebels in their struggle for independence aims to cross the Atlantic in April 2015 with two barrels of Cognac to be auctioned for the benefit of non profit organizations. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
![Red or white, it's never an easy choice.]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
Red or white, it's never an easy choice.
![Au Revoir or until we meet again..... to the French...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Au Revoir or until we meet again..... to the French Tall Ship Hermione as they departed from Yorktown today at 1pm for their sail to Maryland.
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning.
![Crew members of the French tall ship Hermione wave after...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Crew members of the French tall ship Hermione wave after docking at Yorktown Friday morning.
![Sophia Johnson, 5, runs along the shore as a ship...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
Sophia Johnson, 5, runs along the shore as a ship passes by following the arrival of the French tall ship Hermione on Friday morning in Yorktown.
![Some of the media gathered along the Yorktown waterfront Friday...]()
Jamaal O'Neal/Daily Press
Some of the media gathered along the Yorktown waterfront Friday morning, June 5, 2015 to await the Hermione.
![People await the arrival of the Hermione at the Yorktown...]()
Jamaal O'Neal/Daily Press
People await the arrival of the Hermione at the Yorktown waterfront on the morning of June 5, 2015.
![From left, Sherrie Klinedinst, Ann Maliniak and Jacqueline Smith await...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
From left, Sherrie Klinedinst, Ann Maliniak and Jacqueline Smith await the start of a welcome ceremony following the arrival of French tall ship Hermione in Yorktown on Friday morning.
![On a bluff above Yorktown, the 7 th Virginia prepares...]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
On a bluff above Yorktown, the 7 th Virginia prepares the galloper cannon which will fire a salute to the arrival of the L'Hermione.
![Governor Terry McAuliffe and French Minister Ségolène Royal talk after the...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Governor Terry McAuliffe and French Minister Ségolène Royal talk after the French tall ship Hermione docks Yorktown Friday morning.
![US ambassador in France Jane Hartley, center, looks on with...]()
Francois Mori / AP
US ambassador in France Jane Hartley, center, looks on with Hermione senior president Alain Bourdeaux, left, and Hermione Superintendent Bruno Gravellier during the loading ceremony of two barrels of Hennessy Cognac aboard the frigate Hermione in La rochelle, southwest France, Friday, March 13, 2015. The replica of the frigate Hermione, which, in 1780, allowed La Fayette to cross the Atlantic to America and join the American rebels in their struggle for independence aims to cross the Atlantic in April 2015 with two barrels of Cognac to be auctioned for the benefit of non profit associations. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
![People wait in line to tour the ship.]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
People wait in line to tour the ship.
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning. The Godspeed from Jamestown holds their place near Gloucester Point as the French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown.
![The Serenity rests at its berth along the Yorktown waterfront...]()
Adrin Snider / Daily Press
The Serenity rests at its berth along the Yorktown waterfront on Wednesday. It will join other ships at the pier after the arrival of the French replica ship the Hermione Friday.
![A luncheon was hosted by Miles Young, President of Friends...]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
A luncheon was hosted by Miles Young, President of Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America, and held at the Hornsby House Inn, where owners David and Phil Bowditch prepared a southern-style luncheon with recipes from their mother's cookbook.
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning. The Godspeed from Jamestown holds their place near Gloucester Point as the French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown.
![The Hermione arrives at the Yorktown waterfront June 5, 2015.]()
Jamaal O'Neal/Daily Press
The Hermione arrives at the Yorktown waterfront June 5, 2015.
![The tables had summer hydrangea for the floral centerpiece.]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
The tables had summer hydrangea for the floral centerpiece.
![The 1st and 7th Virginia Regiments came to Yorktown to...]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
The 1st and 7th Virginia Regiments came to Yorktown to fire cannon salutes to the L'Hermione upon her arrival in Yorktown. Here, members of the 7th Virginia work the cannon.
![The Alliance sails to meet the Hermione, a replica of...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
The Alliance sails to meet the Hermione, a replica of an 18th century sailing vessel, as she prepares to dock at Yorktown on Friday morning after sailing from France. No Mags, No Sales, No Internet, No TV
![As visitors line up to tour the ship, the Godspeed,...]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
As visitors line up to tour the ship, the Godspeed, left, arrives.
![The French tall ship Hermione fires canons while as it...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
The French tall ship Hermione fires canons while as it approaches Yorktown Friday morning.
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning. York Co. Fireboat leaders the French Tall Ship Hermione to Yorktown.
![The French guests were given to toasting.]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
The French guests were given to toasting.
![Cognac specialist Bruno Gindreau pours a sample of the two...]()
Francois Mori / AP
Cognac specialist Bruno Gindreau pours a sample of the two barrels of Hennessy Cognac aboard of the frigate Hermione in La rochelle, southwest France, Friday, March 13, 2015. The replica of the frigate Hermione, which, in 1780, allowed La Fayette to cross the Atlantic to America and join the American rebels in their struggle for independence aims to cross the Atlantic in April 2015 with two barrels of Cognac to be auctioned for the benefit of non profit organizations. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning.
![The Fifes and Drums of York Town march towards the...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
The Fifes and Drums of York Town march towards the Yorktown Victory Monument following the arrival of the French tall ship Hermione on Friday morning.
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning. York Co. Fireboat leaders the French Tall Ship Hermione to Yorktown.
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning. York Co. Fireboat leaders the French Tall Ship Hermione to Yorktown.
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning. Coming up the York River in the fog.
![The Alliance sails in the distance at the Serenity rests...]()
Adrin Snider / Daily Press
The Alliance sails in the distance at the Serenity rests at its berth along the Yorktown waterfront Wednesday. The location will serve as the arrival point for the French replica ship the Hermione on Friday.
![US ambassador to France Jane Hartley, center, listens to Hennessy...]()
Francois Mori / AP
US ambassador to France Jane Hartley, center, listens to Hennessy president Bernard Peillon, right as Hermione senior president Alain Bourdeaux, left, looks on, during the loading ceremony of two barrels of Hennessy Cognac aboard of the frigate Hermione in La rochelle, southwest France, Friday, March 13, 2015. The replica of the frigate Hermione, which, in 1780, allowed La Fayette to cross the Atlantic to America and join the American rebels in their struggle for independence is aimed to cross the Atlantic in April 2015 with two barrels of Cognac to be auctioned for the benefit of non profit organizations. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning. Canon fire from the French Tall Ship Hermione as they pass Yorktown.
![People stand on the shore following the arrival of the...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
People stand on the shore following the arrival of the French tall ship Hermione on Friday morning in Yorktown.
![A Friends helper checks on the guests.]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
A Friends helper checks on the guests.
![US ambassador in France Jane Hartley, second left, French Ecology...]()
Francois Mori / AP
US ambassador in France Jane Hartley, second left, French Ecology Minister Segolene Royal, and Hennessy president Bernard Peillon look at one of the two barrels of Hennessy Cognac loaded aboard of the frigate Hermione in La rochelle, southwest France, Friday, March 13, 2015. The replica of the frigate Hermione, which, in 1780, allowed La Fayette to cross the Atlantic to America and join the American rebels in their struggle for independence aims to cross the Atlantic in April 2015 with two barrels of Cognac to be auctioned for the benefit of non profit organizations. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
![The 1st and 7th Virginia Regiments came to Yorktown to...]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
The 1st and 7th Virginia Regiments came to Yorktown to fire cannon salutes to the L'Hermione upon her arrival in Yorktown. The colonial clad group use the benefit of the bluff to get a nice view of the ship.
![Hermione Sailing Lieutenant Antoine Faure, left, and Hermione Superintendent Bruno...]()
Francois Mori / AP
Hermione Sailing Lieutenant Antoine Faure, left, and Hermione Superintendent Bruno Gravellier taste a sample of Cognac as two barrels of Hennessy Cognac are loaded aboard the frigate Hermione in La rochelle, southwest France, Friday, March 13, 2015. The replica of the frigate Hermione, which, in 1780, allowed La Fayette to cross the Atlantic to America and join the American rebels in their struggle for independence aims to cross the Atlantic in April 2015 with two barrels of Cognac to be auctioned for the benefit of non profit organizations. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
![The Hermione makes its way through the fog toward the...]()
Jamaal O'Neal/Daily Press
The Hermione makes its way through the fog toward the Yorktown waterfront on June 5, 2015.
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning. Canon fire from the French Tall Ship Hermione as they pass Yorktown.
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning.
![The French tall ship Hermione fires a canon as she...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
The French tall ship Hermione fires a canon as she departs from Yorktown on Monday afternoon.
![The Hermione, a replica of an 18th century sailing ship,...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
The Hermione, a replica of an 18th century sailing ship, passes by the Coleman Bridge Friday morning after sailing from France. No Mags, No Sales, No Internet, No TV
![Groups of people watch on the shore as the French...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Groups of people watch on the shore as the French tall ship Hermione approaches Yorktown Friday morning.
![The Alliance sails by the Hermione, a replica of an...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
The Alliance sails by the Hermione, a replica of an 18th century sailing ship, on the York River on Friday morning.
![The Hermione, a replica of an 18th century sailing ship,...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
The Hermione, a replica of an 18th century sailing ship, emerges from a layer of fog on the York River before docking in Yorktown on Friday morning, June 5, 2015. No Mags, No Sales, No Internet, No TV
![Hermione crew member Benjamin De Lantivy gets a hug from...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
Hermione crew member Benjamin De Lantivy gets a hug from fellow crew member Geoffrey Laulan after disembarking the French tall ship in Yorktown on Friday morning.
![John Holt, 1st Virginia Regiment, keeps track of the firing...]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
John Holt, 1st Virginia Regiment, keeps track of the firing of the canon and his hat.
![This photo shows the size difference between the Godspeed, left,...]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
This photo shows the size difference between the Godspeed, left, at 88 feet, and the L'Hermione at 216 feet.
![People watch from Serenity as the French tall ship Hermione...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
People watch from Serenity as the French tall ship Hermione approaches Yorktown Friday morning.
![Hermione Sailing Lieutenant Antoine Faure, left, and Hermione Superintendent Bruno...]()
Francois Mori / AP
Hermione Sailing Lieutenant Antoine Faure, left, and Hermione Superintendent Bruno Gravellier sample Cognac as two barrels of Hennessy Cognac are loaded aboard of the frigate Hermione in La rochelle, southwest France, Friday, March 13, 2015. The replica of the frigate Hermione, which, in 1780, allowed La Fayette to cross the Atlantic to America and join the American rebels in their struggle for independence aims to cross the Atlantic in April 2015 with two barrels of Cognac to be auctioned for the benefit of non profit organizations. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
![The 1st and 7th Virginia Regiments came to Yorktown to...]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
The 1st and 7th Virginia Regiments came to Yorktown to fire cannon salutes to the L'Hermione upon her arrival in Yorktown. An infantryman gazes out at the sailing vessel.
![The Hermione arrives at the Yorktown waterfront June 5, 2015.]()
Jamaal O'Neal/Daily Press
The Hermione arrives at the Yorktown waterfront June 5, 2015.
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning.
![Kim Poinsett-Holmes and others watch as the French tall ship...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Kim Poinsett-Holmes and others watch as the French tall ship Hermione approaches Yorktown Friday morning.
![Virginia Secretary of Education Anne Holton asks David Bowditch for...]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
Virginia Secretary of Education Anne Holton asks David Bowditch for the story of the family home.
![Governor Terry McAuliffe greets the crew of the French tall...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Governor Terry McAuliffe greets the crew of the French tall ship Hermione after docking at Yorktown Friday morning.
![Tom Shepperd, chairman of the York County Board of Supervisors,...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
Tom Shepperd, chairman of the York County Board of Supervisors, speaks with Ségolène Royal, France's Minister for Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, following a wreath laying ceremony at the Yorktown Victory Monument on Friday.
![Rear Admiral Hervé Blejean of the French Navy stands on the...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Rear Admiral Hervé Blejean of the French Navy stands on the pier after the French tall ship Hermione docks at Yorktown Friday morning.
![York County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Manager Brian Fuller is...]()
Adrin Snider / Daily Press
York County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Manager Brian Fuller is ready for the arrival of the French replica ship Hermione set for Friday, June 5, 2015.
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning.
![A Friends helper checks on the guests.]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
A Friends helper checks on the guests.
![Cognac specialist Bruno Gindreau, left, seals one of the two...]()
Francois Mori / AP
Cognac specialist Bruno Gindreau, left, seals one of the two barrels of Hennessy Cognac as Hennessy president Bernard Peillon, center, looks on, prior to it being loaded aboard the frigate Hermione in La rochelle, southwest France, Friday, March 13, 2015. The replica of the frigate Hermione, which, in 1780, allowed La Fayette to cross the Atlantic to America and join the American rebels in their struggle for independence aims to cross the Atlantic in April 2015 with two barrels of Cognac to be auctioned for the benefit of non profit organizations. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
![Many of the French women wore colorful, patterned scarves with...]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
Many of the French women wore colorful, patterned scarves with their outfits.
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning.
![Au Revoir or until we meet again..... to the French...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Au Revoir or until we meet again..... to the French Tall Ship Hermione as they departed from Yorktown today at 1pm for their sail to Maryland. Well wisher view the ship from the fishing pier as they sail down the York River.
![The French tall ship Hermione prepares to depart from Yorktown...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
The French tall ship Hermione prepares to depart from Yorktown on Monday afternoon.
![Members of the Fifes and Drums of York Town prepare...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
Members of the Fifes and Drums of York Town prepare to play following the arrival of the French tall ship Hermione on Friday in Yorktown.
![Au Revoir or until we meet again..... to the French...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Au Revoir or until we meet again..... to the French Tall Ship Hermione as they departed from Yorktown today at 1pm for their sail to Maryland. Well wisher view the ship from the fishing pier as they sail down the York River.
![The Hermione emerges from the fog on its way to...]()
Frances Hubbard/Daily Press
The Hermione emerges from the fog on its way to the Yorktown waterfront on the morning of June 5, 2015.
![Cognac specialist Bruno Gindreau, left, seals one of the two...]()
Francois Mori / AP
Cognac specialist Bruno Gindreau, left, seals one of the two barrels of Hennessy Cognac prior to being loaded aboard the frigate Hermione in La rochelle, southwest France, Friday, March 13, 2015. The replica of the frigate Hermione, which, in 1780, allowed La Fayette to cross the Atlantic to America and join the American rebels in their struggle for independence is aimed to cross the Atlantic in April 2015 with two barrels of Cognac to be auctioned for the benefit of non profit organizations. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
![One of two barrels of Hennessy Cognac is loaded aboard...]()
Francois Mori / AP
One of two barrels of Hennessy Cognac is loaded aboard the frigate Hermione in La rochelle, southwest France, Friday, March 13, 2015. The replica of the frigate Hermione, which, in 1780, allowed La Fayette to cross the Atlantic to America and join the American rebels in their struggle for independence is aimed to cross the Atlantic in April 2015 with two barrels of Cognac to be auctioned for the benefit of non profit associations. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
![A luncheon was hosted by Miles Young, President of Friends...]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
A luncheon was hosted by Miles Young, President of Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America, and held at the Hornsby House Inn, where owners David and Phil Bowditch prepared a southern-style luncheon with recipes from their mother's cookbook.
![The Alliance sails by the French tall ship Hermione as...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
The Alliance sails by the French tall ship Hermione as she departs from Yorktown on Monday afternoon.
![People begin to arrive for the luncheon.]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
People begin to arrive for the luncheon.
![The L'Hermione fires welcoming salutes.]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
The L'Hermione fires welcoming salutes.
![Nelle Summers, 12, waves a French flag after the French...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
Nelle Summers, 12, waves a French flag after the French tall ship Hermione docks at Yorktown Friday morning.
![The French Tall Ship Hermione, a replica of the 1790...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
The French Tall Ship Hermione, a replica of the 1790 ship that once brought Gen. Marquis de Lafayette to America. A show of Franco-American alliance then and now. The 213 foot three masted ship sailed into Yorktown this morning. No Mags, No Sales, No Internet, No TV
![A luncheon was hosted by Miles Young, President of Friends...]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
A luncheon was hosted by Miles Young, President of Friends of Hermione-Lafayette in America, and held at the Hornsby House Inn, where owners David and Phil Bowditch prepared a southern-style luncheon with recipes from their mother's cookbook. Here, a line of different naval uniform hats.
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning. From the Yorktown bluffs, Canon fire for the French Tall Ship Hermione as they enter Yorktown.
![The French tall ship Hermione fires canons while as it...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
The French tall ship Hermione fires canons while as it approaches Yorktown Friday morning.
![The French tall ship Hermione, a replica of the 1790...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
The French tall ship Hermione, a replica of the 1790 ship that once brought Gen. Marquis de Lafayette to America. A show of Franco-American alliance then and now. The 213 foot three masted ship sailed into Yorktown this morning.
![Au Revoir or until we meet again..... to the French...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Au Revoir or until we meet again..... to the French Tall Ship Hermione as they departed from Yorktown today at 1pm for their sail to Maryland.
![David Hornsby Bowditch offers a choice of Virginia wines from...]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
David Hornsby Bowditch offers a choice of Virginia wines from Naked Mountain winery which is owned by one of their relatives.
![People watch from Serenity as the French tall ship Hermione...]()
Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press
People watch from Serenity as the French tall ship Hermione approaches Yorktown Friday morning.
![Au Revoir or until we meet again..... to the French...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Au Revoir or until we meet again..... to the French Tall Ship Hermione as they departed from Yorktown today at 1pm for their sail to Maryland.
![Hermione Sailing Lieutenant Antoine Faure, left, and Hermione Superintendent Bruno...]()
Francois Mori / AP
Hermione Sailing Lieutenant Antoine Faure, left, and Hermione Superintendent Bruno Gravellier taste a sample of Cognac as two barrels of Hennessy Cognac are loaded aboard the frigate Hermione in La rochelle, southwest France, Friday, March 13, 2015. The replica of the frigate Hermione, which, in 1780, allowed La Fayette to cross the Atlantic to America and join the American rebels in their struggle for independence aims to cross the Atlantic in April 2015 with two barrels of Cognac to be auctioned for the benefit of non profit organizations. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning. As the French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown firework are set off.
![People take photos as the French tall ship Hermione departs...]()
Kaitlin McKeown / Daily Press
People take photos as the French tall ship Hermione departs from Yorktown on Monday afternoon.
![Au Revoir or until we meet again..... to the French...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
Au Revoir or until we meet again..... to the French Tall Ship Hermione as they departed from Yorktown today at 1pm for their sail to Maryland. Well wisher view the ship from the fishing pier as they sail down the York River.
![People watch as the Hermione sails up the York River...]()
Jamaal O'Neal/Daily Press
People watch as the Hermione sails up the York River toward the Yorktown waterfront on June 5, 2015.
![French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off...]()
Joe Fudge / Daily Press
French Tall Ship Hermione arrives in Yorktown to kick off weekend of history along the waterfront on the York River Friday morning.
![Many of the French women wore colorful, patterned scarves with...]()
Judith Lowery / Daily Press
Many of the French women wore colorful, patterned scarves with their outfits.
After crossing the Atlantic twice and visiting ports along the U.S. East Coast, a replica of an American Revolution-era tall ship has come home to France, completing a voyage rich with diplomatic symbolism.
Powered only by its soaring sails and an international crew of maritime aficionados, the Hermione weathered mid-ocean storms and arrived Monday to cheering crowds along docks in the city of Brest in the Brittany region. Several smaller ships and an anti-submarine frigate escorted it into the port.
The three-mast ship — 56 meters (185 feet) tall and 65 meters (215 feet) long — is a near-exact copy of the one that brought the Marquis de Lafayette from France to America in 1780 to help George Washington’s troops fight the British.
It left France in April to retrace Lafayette’s journey, which laid the foundation of French-American relations. After stops in Yorktown and Baltimore, it visited the waters around the Statue of Liberty on the Fourth of July, swung by Newport and Boston, stopped in Maine for France’s Bastille Day holiday July 14, sailed past Nova Scotia and then headed east for Europe.
Commander Yann Cariou praised the crew for handling the ship in rough weather during the “tough” return journey.
Over two decades, maritime experts and historians worked on the project, based on captains’ logs and manuscripts from Lafayette’s time. Workers used the same construction materials and methods as those used to build the original, toiling in the same boatyard where the original was made in southwest France. Sailmakers hand-sewed eyelets on the 2,200 square meters of linen sails. Engineers replicated the pulley system.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
