Sailing Frigate Replica "H.M.S." Rose

Soon to Star in a Major Motion Picture

"H.M.S." Rose docked at the Hudson River Maritime Museum

Since the "H.M.S" Rose visited the Hudson River Maritime Museum, the largest active wooden sailing ship in the world and America's biggest US Coast Guard inspected and certified Sailing School Vessel has been sold.

Today's "H.M.S." Rose is a replica of a mid-eighteenth century Royal Navy frigate which figured in the Colonial and Revolutionary history of the United States. 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, under the command of James Wallace, 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. Since the Rose was much larger than any American vessel of the time, and Wallace was very efficient at his job (the Rhode Islanders considered him to be a brutal pirate), smuggling soon came to a relative standstill.

Rhode Island's powerful merchants petitioned their colonial legislature (which had relocated to Providence from Newport) to create a navy to deal with Wallace. They backed up their petitions with money by refitting a merchant vessel, the square tops'l sloop Katy, for naval service. This vessel was commissioned the Sloop of War Providence. Within a year or so Providence became the first naval command of John Paul Jones.

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. James Wallace was knighted for his actions in helping to drive Washington and his troops from the city.

Rose begins a new career. In late March 2001, Rose moved to Newport, Rhode Island to begin renovations in preparation for her starring role in a major motion picture. Rose has been cast to play the role of H.M.S. Surprise in the forthcoming film based on one of the novels in Patrick O'Brian's twenty volume Aubrey/Maturin series.

On October 13, 2002, The New York Times published an interview describing the progress of the filming and the role "H.M.S." Rose will play. This article is available at:

On the Seas Again, Guided by a Star
Filming of "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World"
NY Times, October 13, 2002
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So why was Rose sold? While Rose had largely been self-supporting over the years, there has 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 for which the ship has been purchased will lavish 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 will return to her education mission when filming is completed. Rose will be a vastly improved ship. Modifications and improvements include new decks, sails, running rigging, engines, bow and stern decoration and more.

On the other hand it means that the ship will be taking a sabbatical from sail training for a while. But studios are not in the business of owning ships, and there is certainly no more appropriate a role for Rose than to return to sail training. So after you see her on the big screen, watch for the opportunity to sail aboard her once again.

HMS Rose Foundation

Two Ships Named Rose
A history of the original Rose and the replica