remade. in 1780, a 32-gun frigate named "hermione" left france for america with good news for the colonists rebelling against great britain.ra today, a replica of the ship set sail on a similar course amid great fanfare, and mark phillips was there. >> reporter: it's a replica of what may be one of the most important and the most forgotten ships in u.s. naval history. and in a way, it's coming home. the original sailing frigate "hermione" left port in france in 1780, carrying the best friend the american revolution ever had, to boston. the marquis de lafayette was aui french aristocrat and sympathizer with the upstart colonies who served in george washington's army and who secured vital support for what was then a flagging revolutionary cause. "hermione's" trip 235 years ago brought lafayette back to the colonies with news that thes