Hermione meets Statue of Liberty

WITH a volley of cannon fire resounding off the Manhattan skyscrapers, the 18th century frigate Hermione has reached New York and sailed past the Statue of Liberty – a gift from France in 1886.

Docked at South Street Seaport, thousands of visitors have already taken the chance to climb on board for deck tours and tomorrow on July 4 she will lead an Independence Day flotilla heading up the Hudson River and past Manhattan.

The crew have put out information on the event and giving the best viewing spots:

“Ships will meet at Gravesend Bay at 10.30, pass under the Verrazano Bridge, and sail up the Hudson, with a pass by the Statue of Liberty, water blasts from a New York Harbor fire boat, fly-over by the US Navy, and any noisy accompaniment issued by our flotilla of regional mariners.

“The fleet will disperse off the Intrepid Museum just above Morris Canal.

“The best on-land vantage points to see the ships under sail will be (11-11.30) along the Brooklyn coast, (12.00) by the Statue of Liberty, (12.30-13.00) along the Hudson River, closer to the Manhattan side till the Intrepid at 46th Street, then (13.30-14.30) on the way back south, closer to the New Jersey side.

“The parade disperses on the New Jersey side near the Morris Canal (a little to the north of Battery Park/Wagner Park), where the Hermione will then go to Governor’s island.”

On Sunday Hermione heads up the coast to Greenport to berth on July 6-7 and then moves up the eastern seaboard to reach Nova Scotia on the start of her return trip to France on July 18.

Further information from the English-language website www.hermione2015.com

Welcome to New York L'Hermione! We are excited to host this stunning French Frigate at the #SouthStreetSeaportMuseum! pic.twitter.com/p7wLlXpNVL— Seaport Museum (@SeaportMuseum) July 1, 2015