It was a unique combination of circumstances. The Mayflower sailed from England to America in 1620 with religious dissenters who were rebelling against England’s royalty-supported religion. It sailed again in 1957 as a symbol of subsequent English-American cooperation through the intervening decades. This cooperation between the mother nation and its American offspring was solidified as the two nations became World War II allies.
An Incident of American and British History
This was an example of the twists and turns of historical events. The American colonies broke away from England in the 1770s. The United States became a tide-turning ally of England in World War I and World War II. Mayflower II’s 1957 voyage was a celebration of the bonds between the two nations.
The Voyage Begins
Cheered on by thousands of onlookers, both ashore and afloat, with a crew of 33 seafarers, Mayflower II put out to sea from Plymouth, England, April 20, 1957, headed for the United States.
It took two days to clear the English Channel, then strong northerly winds were captured by the sails and this replica of a 17th century vessel rode the winds to the southwest.
Mayflower II Heads For America
Captain Alan Villiers abandoned the plan to retrace the original Mayflower course to follow prevailing winds and currents on the longer, but perhaps faster, southern route. Sailing at a brisk 7½ knots, Mayflower II sprinted past the Canary Islands, but then was slowed by a calm that lasted two weeks.
When the tradewinds picked up, the ship's pace accelerated and Mayflower II “turned the corner” toward home. The next test of this voyage, made with skills and methods three centuries old, came June 8 near the voyage’s end.
It was a furious storm. Winds screamed. The seas rebelled. Mayflower II was tossed up, down and around. Sails were furled. Like her ancestral Mayflower, the new incarnation met Mother Nature under bare poles. Modern sailors learned that old shipbuilders were prudent. With her canvas rolled and that high poop deck cutting through the wind, she rode out the storm.
The Mayflower II Captain
After 53 days, the crew sighted land. The next day she stopped at Provincetown. The following morning she sailed across Cape Cod Bay to her mooring and a jubilant crowd at Plymouth. Aboard was Stuart Upham, master shipbuilder, in whose yard at Brixham the Mayflower II had taken shape.
Capt. Villiers, described as being as rugged and square rigged as the ships he sailed, was probably the foremost living writer on wooden ships of the past. He had 40 years of sailing background and was renowned for having sailed, in the 1930s, the square-rigged Joseph Conrad more than 60,000 miles.
Mayflower II Arrives at Plymouth
Off the American shore warships, merchantmen and passenger vessels of British, American, French, Australian, Italian and other nations turned aside to salute the little vessel that was so significant. Some sent over welcome gifts…fresh fruit, tobacco and candy.
Thousands cheered as Mayflower II arrived in Plymouth harbor, escorted by a wonderful array of hundreds of small and large boats. Centuries unfolded as this stubby little ship with strange square sails, that towering poopdeck, and celebratory-painted sides broke waves approaching Plymouth. Blimps, jet planes and helicopters dipped in salute.
There was much to pay tribute to. The American dream of the Pilgrims had become reality. Three centuries had passed. Some brave men and a ship that recognized centuries of ship building skills had completed a journey which commemorated one of the most epic voyages in history, made in a search for faith and for freedom.
(Companion articles discuss the original Mayflower and the building of Mayflower II.)
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