'Mayflower II'
is a replica of the 17th Century ship Mayflower, best known
for transporting pilgrims to the New World. The replica was
built in Devon, England in the 1950's by Englishman Warwick
Charlton. In 1957, in a recreation of the original voyage,
it was sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to Plymouth, Massachusetts
and for nearly 38 years, this living replica of the Pilgrim's
famous vessel has been a floating museum.
The ship was built in the town of Brixham at the Upham Shipyard
and financed by private donations in the UK. Charlton built
the ship as a symbol of the historic friendship between England
and the United States.
Within a few details the ship is
considered to be a living reproduction, with solid oak timbers,
tarred hemp rigging, and hand coloured maps. The ship is 25
feet wide and 106 feet long, with a displacement of 236 tons.
She has 4 masts, including a mainmast, foremast, mizzen and
sprit, has a total of 6 sails.
The ship made the 1957 voyage under the command of Alan Villiers
Afterwards, Villiers and his crew received a ticker-tape parade
in New York City.
The ship is seaworthy and has made voyages as recently as
2002.
Provenance
Private Collection, USA |