Mayflower II
Monday, October 4, 1999
Mayflower II
After overcoming one difficulty after another, 102 Pilgrims set sail on the
Mayflower September 6, 1620 on a voyage that would capapult them into
history. After a pleasant beginning, followed a period of many storms
with crosswinds which cracked a main beam between the decks that caused the
upper works to leak badly. Conditions were severe enough to raise quiestions
about the capacity of the Mayflower to make the voyage. Of course, many were
seasick much of the time.
There were two deaths during the voyage. One was a sailor and another
a passenger. A son was born to Elizabeth Hopkins, who named him Oceanus.
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Land was sighted on
November 9, 1620.
It proved to be Cape Cod,
which was well east
of their original
destination.
The lateness in the year
persuaded them to
come ashore at what is now
Provincetown
on November 11th, after 66 days at sea.
That day the male passengers
signed the famous
Mayflower Compact.
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Fran McDonnell, one of our tour group from England,
doesn't look too angry about the outcome of the
American Revolution as she waves from the poop-deck.
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After a lot of exploration the Mayflower arrived in Plymouth harbor
on December 16, 1620, and construction on the settlement began on the 23rd.
Pat checks the size and comfort of a bunk that undoubtedly served as sleeping
quarters for a whole family of passengers.
An actor role-playing the Mayflower Captain tells us how it was
at sea in those days.
Here's a sample of sleeping quarters for the crew, and probably
many of the passengers too.
We just don't appreciate the relatively easy life that most
people enjoy today.
Here's a link to information about
The First Mayflower - 1620.
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