The Mayflower II was conceived of and built in 1955 - 1957, as a gift from Britain to America as a symbol of wartime cooperation between the two nations. It was built in Devonshire, England, in as traditional method as possible, including hemp cordage and hand drawn iron nails. She was sailed from England to Britain in the spring of 1957, on a slightly more south but otherwise accurate route that the original Mayflower would have sailed. The ship is still seaworthy and occasionally makes voyages for important functions.
The Mayflower II at dock
Bow view. Notice the length of the bowsprit and the spritsail yard, which are both indicative of a ship of this period, as over the course of the next century, the spritsail would be done away with and the bowsprit shortened considerably.
The Fo'c's'le. Notice the mounting of the fore chains to the hull below the fo'c's'le deck, and the short distance between that and the bowsprit.
The main deck, or spar deck, looking forward
The main deck, or spar deck, looking aft. The helm lies in the alcove center aft on the deck, with the great cabin behind.
The helm alcove. The grating in the foreground leads belowdeck, and the whipstaff, the intermediate helm design between a tiller and a wheel, lies directly behind the interpretor.
Belowdecks forward: The cable tier
Belowdecks midships: passenger stalls.
Belowdecks aft. Notice the simple joint between the whipstaff and the rudder, as well as the relieving tackle which would be manned in the advent of heavy weather to augment the helmsman above. While it is unknown if the Mayflower was armed, were she, she would have most likely carried 9 pounders such as the one above mounted as a stern chaser.
Bow view. Notice the length of the bowsprit and the spritsail yard, which are both indicative of a ship of this period, as over the course of the next century, the spritsail would be done away with and the bowsprit shortened considerably.
The Fo'c's'le. Notice the mounting of the fore chains to the hull below the fo'c's'le deck, and the short distance between that and the bowsprit.The main deck, or spar deck, looking forwardThe main deck, or spar deck, looking aft. The helm lies in the alcove center aft on the deck, with the great cabin behind.The helm alcove. The grating in the foreground leads belowdeck, and the whipstaff, the intermediate helm design between a tiller and a wheel, lies directly behind the interpretor.Belowdecks forward: The cable tierBelowdecks midships: passenger stalls.Belowdecks aft. Notice the simple joint between the whipstaff and the rudder, as well as the relieving tackle which would be manned in the advent of heavy weather to augment the helmsman above. While it is unknown if the Mayflower was armed, were she, she would have most likely carried 9 pounders such as the one above mounted as a stern chaser.
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