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Dernières nouvelles de l'Hermione

Le chantier de l'Hermione à l'arsenal de Rochefort - image: Sud Ouest
 Depuis plusieurs années nous suivons la construction de l'Hermione à Rochefort avec intérêt. Voici les toutes dernières nouvelles selon Sud Ouest:

"À Rochefort, l'immense chantier de « L'Hermione » va bon train. Ici, chacun attend d'apercevoir le grand navire en bois qui, en 1780, permit à La Fayette de traverser l'Atlantique pour rejoindre l'Amérique. Cette reconstruction à l'identique était jusqu'alors dissimulée sous un chapiteau immense, recouvrant la forme de radoub - pour l'heure asséchée - où se trouve le bateau. Le 3 janvier, l'effeuillage a donc commencé. Il s'achèvera le 11 février, date à laquelle le chapiteau aura entièrement disparu au profit d'un chantier à ciel ouvert. Cela fait, les visites pourront reprendre.
Après avoir posé et peint la figure de proue en décembre, les artisans poursuivent leur œuvre. Ils tâcheront de la rendre élégante pour la grande fête des 6, 7 et 8 juillet, qui correspondra à la mise à l'eau de la frégate. En attendant, il s'agira de sortir le bateau de la forme de radoub Louis XV à l'occasion des festivités. Des bateaux-portes serviront à cela avant la pose des gréements. Une baignade pourra donc avoir lieu dans la Charente le 6 juillet. Elle sera de courte durée, puisque « L'Hermione » rejoindra la forme Napoléon III dès le lendemain.
Cet été, la frégate sera encore loin de sa première sortie, jusqu'à l'île d'Aix (été 2013), et des premiers essais véritables en mer (automne 2014). Enfin, mai 2015 sonnera l'heure du départ vers le grand large… Direction les côtes américaines, sur les traces de La Fayette.
Ce chantier a déjà attiré 3,4 millions de visiteurs en quinze ans. Pour la population, ainsi que pour l'équipe du chantier et les 6 000 adhérents de l'association - financeurs de ce projet -, la mise à l'eau sera un événement unique et historique, qui devrait réunir près de 60 000 visiteurs."

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