
This is the sight that greeted people gathered at the dock in Yorktown Harbor, Virginia on Tuesday. But what is a ship like this doing on the water in 2015?

It's a replica of the French frigate 'L'Hermione," the ship that brought General Lafayette to the United States in 1780 to rally the American rebels against the English Crown. Here, it can be seen passing through the Woodrow Wilson Draw Bridge near Alexandria, Virginia.

Guests drink wine prior to the gala dinner in the honor of L'Hermione. The original ship arrived in the United States again on Tuesday, 235 years after its initial crossing.

Two Hermione sailors look at the port after the official arrival ceremony at Yorktown, Virginia.

A man dressed in period costume watches as the vessel gives a 21 gun salute in the Yorktown City Harbor.