Reconstruction of a first rate

[Opproperaar]

I thought this may interest the lot of you, my father stumbled across it on the web some time ago.

Apparently L'association Tourville has started work some time ago on the reconstruction of a seventeenth century French first rate, named le Jean-Bart. A 57 metre ship of 84 cannons, designed under the Sun King' (Louis XIV for the history barbarians among us) reign.

Construction, taking place in the town of Gravelines on the north coast of France, commenced in 2002 and will form the heart of an historic theme park dedicated to the Sun King's navy and privateers.

People and/or businesses are free to visit and/or contribute financially or help in the build of this mighty instrument of war.

Link - tourville association (in French)

[Tarfful]

Construction, taking place in the town of Gravelines on the north coast of France, commenced in 2002 and will form the heart of an historic theme park dedicated to the Sun King's navy and privateers.

snip

Link - tourville association (in French)

Wow! 8-� Sounds pretty awesome, and a Historic theme park with the theme of the Sun King's navy and his privateers. *wub*

Too bad it's in France, as I'm in the US. :'-( *Goes off to pout*

-Tarfful

Edited April 2, 2008 by Tarfful

[Mister Phes]

This is very exciting indeed!

Here's what the opening paragraph of the website says (Errr I think).

The Jean Bart, a first rate vessel of the 17th century (84 canons, 57 metres long) is true maritime cathedral that will be realised in homage to one of the biggest corsairs of the Sun King . It will be the center of interest in a historic park and provide amusement to Gravelines with the theme of the corsairs and the navy of Louis XIV.

[simonwillems]

Well, the building process of this ship may have started, it's definetely not finished yet.

Last summer on holiday I cycled right through Gravelines, one of the nicer little towns along the English/French Channel and if there had been a full scale 57 metre frigate anywhere near the city I would have noticed it....

Nice idea though.

Here in Holland I know of three replica's of old 17th century frigates/VOC-ships: one lying outside my home here in Amsterdam (the Amsterdam), one in Lelystad (the Batavia) and one in Den Helder (The Prins Willem).

[simonwillems]

Sorry, slow server caused my post to double...

Edit: The website mentioned also has a button with a British flag on it, once pressed it displays the site's content in English...

Edited April 2, 2008 by simonwillems

[Opproperaar]

Last summer on holiday I cycled right through Gravelines, one of the nicer little towns along the English/French Channel and if there had been a full scale 57 metre frigate anywhere near the city I would have noticed it....

Here in Holland I know of three replica's of old 17th century frigates/VOC-ships: one lying outside my home here in Amsterdam (the Amsterdam), one in Lelystad (the Batavia) and one in Den Helder (The Prins Willem).

Edit: The website mentioned also has a button with a British flag on it, once pressed it displays the site's content in English...

Well if the mictures are up to date there shouldn't have been more to see than the keel. What else they have done in the past 6 years would be beyond me. I can understand the plans taking some time but 6 years for merely a keel?

I've visited the Batavia. I've seen the Amsterdam but haven't visited since we (yes ships are a family hobby here) find it a poor replica. The Prins Willem doesn't really attract our attention either since the hull's from steel and though only cosmetic, we tend to visit replicas (or originals mind you) made from wood. :-P

I see, well I believe only one page was translated. All the other ones are in French I believe

[Mister Phes]

Now lets compare:

My guess

The Jean Bart, a first rate vessel of the 17th century (84 canons, 57 metres long) is true maritime cathedral that will be realised in homage to one of the biggest corsairs of the Sun King. It will be the center of interest in a historic park and provide amusement to Gravelines with the theme of the corsairs and the navy of Louis XIV.

The English version

The Jean Bart, a 17th century First-Rate ship (84 guns, 57 metres long), a real cathedral of the seas, which will be built as a homage to the greatest of the Sun King's privateers, will be the focus of a historic theme park created in Gravelines. Its theme will be privateers and Louis XIV's navy.

[Opproperaar]

I don't mean to nitpick, but I can swear your guess was slightly different. For example you said King Sun and John Bart I believe as well as centered around instead of "it will be the center". ;-) Still, you translated it very nicely. *y* *y*

Edited April 2, 2008 by Hairy Ruben

[simonwillems]

Well if the mictures are up to date there shouldn't have been more to see than the keel. What else they have done in the past 6 years would be beyond me. I can understand the plans taking some time but 6 years for merely a keel?

Those lazy French people.... :-D :-|

The Prins Willem doesn't really attract our attention either since the hull's from steel and though only cosmetic, we tend to visit replicas (or originals mind you) made from wood. :-P

Yes, I know the Prins Willem has always been the ugly duckling.... I visited it at Sail Amsterdam in 2005 and it looks nice from the outside, but once on board everything is fake: plastic cannons, steel (wood plated) hull etc.

[Opproperaar]

Those lazy French people.... :-D :-|

Last time (yesterday that was) I checked the progress on the 7 Provinces, keel laid in 1995, only the skeleton was finished. I'd say the Dutchmen are still the best with 13 years for a skeleton :-P. On the official website it even said original construction back in 1664 took only a year. ;-)

[Mister Phes]

I don't mean to nitpick, but I can swear your guess was slightly different. For example you said King Sun and John Bart I believe as well as centered around instead of "it will be the center". ;-) Still, you translated it very nicely. *y* *y*

Yeah I corrected the names to minimise confusion.

[Captain Zuloo]

I put this as a new thread as i thought it might get more attention that way. Those who don't remember, there was a few months ago a post made of this link in french. Well- All fixed.

Here is the link.

Regards, Captain Zuloo

[Mister Phes]

Well thank you for that, but you could have just posted in the existing thread...

[El Bucanero]

Well thank you for that, but you could have just posted in the existing thread...

Exactly my thoughts, merge on!