HMS Rose
stars as H.M.S. Surprise in
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Rose as HMS Surprise

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World opened last weekend staring the H.M.S. Rose, a sailing ship that has sailed on the Hudson River.

When the H.M.S Rose visited the Hudson River Maritime Museum, she was the largest active wooden sailing ship in the world and America's biggest US Coast Guard inspected and certified Sailing School Vessel. In March, 2001, the Rose was acquired by 20th Century Fox and moved to Newport, Rhode Island to begin renovations in preparation for her role as H.M.S. Surprise in Master and Commander.

Master and Commander was adapted from two novels in Patrick O'Brian's 20-volume maritime adventure series. Russell Crowe plays Jack Aubrey, captain of the H.M.S. Surprise, a British frigate doing battle with a mysterious French battle ship off the Coast of South America during the early 1800's. Patrick O'Brian fans will realize Master and Commander only loosely follows the original novels. In the novels, the H.M.S. Surprise was pursuing an American ship, the Norfolk, during the War of 1812. Perhaps it was thought American audiences would better appreciate the movie if the villain was a French ship.

The original H.M.S. Rose was built in Hull, England in 1757. In size, she was about the modern day equivalent of a destroyer. She would not have participated in major fleet engagements except perhaps to relay messages. The job of the frigate was to operate as a scout ship for the fleet or to patrol the coasts of any belligerent country. And that is primarily what the Rose did during the American Revolution. In 1774 the Rose was sent to Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island to put an end to the lucrative smuggling which had made Newport the fourth wealthiest city in America. In July of 1776, the Rose played a large part in the British invasion of New York, shelling the land-based fortification and making forays far up the Hudson. The original H.M.S.Rose participated in the burning of Kingston, and the replica HMS Rose participated in a reenactment of the burning.

So why was Rose sold? While Rose had largely been self-supporting over the years, there was always been a daunting financial challenge overshadowing her. Beginning with the near total rebuild in the late 1980's and through the development and delivery of sail training sessions and port visits around the Atlantic rim, the challenge to keep her safe, inspected and magnificent has cost many long days and not a few sleepless nights. The film production lavished funds on her that would never have been otherwise available. So, although it may seem an unfortunate development to the many who have sailed her from schools, colleges, universities and the general public, Rose is a vastly improved ship. Modifications and improvements include new decks, sails, running rigging, engines, bow and stern decoration and more.

The big question is will the Rose return to sail training? The answer right now is not for a while. Nothing has been officially announced by Fox about the status of the ship, but it seems clear right that the ship will stay close to Hollywood to have it available if they decide to film a sequel. Several sources have suggested that the ship has been donated to the San Diego Maritime Museum (SDMM). Other sources have suggested that Fox may keep the ship but lend it to the SDMM until such time as they decide whether or not there will be a sequel. At any rate, there are no plans to utilize it in a sail training program along the lines of her previous owners, the HMS Rose Foundation.

Meanwhile, rumors about the ship being severely damaged, unseaworthy or wrapped up in legal battles with the State of Connecticut are completely unfounded. If you watch the History Channel program you can see she is still seaworthy.

The Rose in Master and Commander

Home page for the tall ship Rose