The Riddle Of The Sphinx

My sister from France and my niece took another sister's dog for a quick walk along the quay at Burnham-on-Crouch. The house boat Hermione caught Sally's eye as she has paid to have my nephew's name written on the sail of  an exact replica of the tall ship. The Hermione was a 12-pounder Concorde class frigate of the French navy. She became famous when she ferried General Lafayette to the United States in 1780 for extension and spread of the war in the American Independence Movements 1754-1763 on behalf of the French interest. She grounded and was wrecked in 1793.

The replica is one of the most authentically built tall ships. The idea grew that the Hermione should sail to the USA - bringing to life the voyage made by Lafayette in 1780 and re-affirming the historic relationship between the United States and France. The Hermione's first voyage will take her across the Atlantic.


I wonder what the significance is of the sphinx sculpture on the deck of the houseboat Hermione?


("What is the creature that walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon and three in the evening?" Answer: Man - who crawls on all fours as a baby, then walks on two feet as an adult, and then uses a walking stick in old age. )