An American Rose in Europe
The frigate Rose, halfway through her tour of European ports, res/s in state amidst her sailing companions in Douarnene:, Fran ce.
Th e, lovely Breton fishin g ke1ch Etoile Molene shows off her traditional lines as she slips along under light airs.
Below, the newesl addition to the world's fleet of historic replicas, Britain' s Matthew will cross the Atlantic in 1997 to commemorate John Cabot's 1497 voyage to Norlh America.
Sea History is happy to provide this brief report on the 1996 peregrinations of " HMS " Rose. Built in Nova Scotia in 1970, she fell on hard times in the next decade, and in 1979 we recorded what many felt would be her last sail when , under the command of Capt. Richard Bailey, she outpaced the tug sent out to escort her. Bailey stuck with her and Kaye Williams of Bridgeport, Connecticut, rebuilt the ship, which now sail s under Coast Guard sailing school certification. ln recent years, NMHS has held an annua l cruise aboard the replica frigate in New York Harbor for members, friends and local public school students. Last year we weren't able to do that because the Rose was off making a splash in Europe. But we did have a sailor's farewell and reception aboard in Boston , and look forward to welcoming the Rose back to New York on 2 May . Two transAtlantic passages proved the seaworthiness of vessel and crew under the redoubtable Captain Bailey. She started off her journey making a dashing 9 knots off the East Coast. An adverse ga le sent her south to the Azores, where she stopped for fuel and then headed to England for Bristol 's International Festival of the Sea in May. The Rose was the belle of the ball ; Briti sh papers made much of her visits and France ' s magazine Le Figaro featured a cover story with superb photographs by Philip Plisson . In July, she was in France for Brest '96 and then continued on to nearby Douarnenez, before going to Hull, England, birthplace of the original HMS Rose of 1757. She then re-crossed the ocean to take up sa il-training cruises in the Caribbean. This spring she heads home to Bridgeport, Connecticut. ("HMS " Rose, Captain's Cove, One Bostwick Ave., Bridgeport CT 06605 ; 203 335-1433) The ship 's log records the scene as the Rose arrived in Brest: 13 July: Arrived in Brest yesterday along with 2500 other sailing vessels! Th e harbor is a spectacular sight with sailboats old and new darting about and some of the most famous tall ships in the world parading backandforth . ... Friday night the crew enjoyed dinner with oth er crews near the old fort and afterwards sang and danced out in the streets with all the bands roaming around the town. !-
SEA HISTORY 80, WINTER 1996-97
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