Sabine Renault-Sablonière — What is Hermione suffering from?
Marc de Briançon — During routine maintenance in the spring of 2021 in the port of La Rochelle, a deterioration was found on the outside of the hull on the rear port side, under the waterline. In the autumn of 2021, it was decided to take the Hermione to a dry dock in the port of Bayonne to undertake the necessary repairs. The first tests confirmed that the problem was serious: important, but localised, damage was found on the bow and the stern of the ship, requiring the replacement of entire pieces of wood. Further investigations revealed that it was not a matter of premature aging of the hull’s wood, but an attack by slow-growing fungus.
S. R.-S. — What can be done to save the ship?
M. de B. — The Hermione-La Fayette had gathered the best experts in construction and maintenance for a wooden ship with characteristics that are unique in France. Following a call for tender, the association chose to entrust the project management for the restoration work of the main lining to the Yacht Concept company based in La Rochelle. After consultation, two companies were taken on to carry out the dismantling and repair work: the Asselin company based in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, which specialises in the restoration of woodwork and the structure of historical monuments; and the shipyard of Le Guip, based in Brittany and specialised in the construction, repair and maintenance of wooden vessels, including those of the Navy. After the initial diagnoses, the experts were positive: the Hermione could be repaired.
S. R.-S. — What solutions have been adopted?
M. de B. — About 190 square metres of planking have been put in the bow and the stern, about one fifth of the surface of the hull, to be able to reach the pieces of damaged wood and progressively replace them. In total, a volume of 40 cubic metres has to be restored, about 7 per cent of the frigate’s total volume. Some pieces, the large and curved ones in particular, will be made out of laminated timber because of a lack of availability of dry pieces of solid oak.
S. R.-S. — This huge maintenance is a financial challenge for the association. How do you envisage raising the sum needed to save the Hermione?
M. de B. — A first fundraising of 3.5 million euros permitted the setting up of the worksite in Anglet, as well as a check of all of the ship and the first restoration work. A new tranche of 6.5 million euros is planned to complete the largescale maintenance, ensure the security and the protection of the frigate throughout the restoration period and to continue access for the public as well as for training personnel on the site. This site has mobilised, in effect, some 30 companies and involves 30 to 40 people a day. Our aim is to put the Hermione back to sea in 2025 after restoration work that is expected to take about 24 months. To keep to this timetable, the association has begun a race against time to get the necessary funds together.
S. R.-S. — Once the Hermione regains its former glory, will it again set off for the Americas?
M. de B. — Why not? That would allow us to revive the spirit and the values of La Fayette with the public at large and the media and to consolidate the links that unite our countries.