Captain's Log
The newsletter companion of Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Podcast
A Maritime Story for Thanksgiving: “Project Mayflower”
Moored in Plymouth Harbor is a full-scale replica of the historic ship Mayflower, which brought religious separatists and entrepreneurs to North America for a new start. Their first year was harsh, and many perished, but those who survived gave thanks with a feast that was shared with the local Wampanoag tribe. This was the “First Thanksgiving” and became the foundation of a national holiday celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States.
The Mayflower was not terribly remarkable and within just a few years was sold for scrap back in England. Nevertheless, the old sailing ship has been a symbol of American pride for 400 years.
In the 1950’s, the ironically named Harry Hornblower in the U.S., and Warwick Charlton in England, both had plans to build a replica of the 17th century ship. However, neither knew of the other’s plans. Hornblower wanted a monument to the original settlers in Plymouth, Massachusetts as part of his historic living village, Plimoth Plantation. Charlton served in World War II under General Bernard Montgomery. Following the war, he wanted to build the ship as a gift to the United States, to honor the alliance of friendship that was formed between the two countries during the war.
Eventually the two men would come to collaborate on the project, and Charlton raised the funds and had the ship built in Brixham, Devon, England. It was sailed by Alan Villiers and crew in 1957 to Plymouth, Massachusetts, where it would be permanently berthed as part of Hornblower’s museum.
The Mayflower II has resided in Plymouth ever since, and can still be visited at the Plimoth Patuxet Museum.
Listen to episode 97 of Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs, featuring Richard A. Stone, author of Project Mayflower: Building and Sailing a 17th Century Replica.
Coming Soon
November 10th, 2025 was the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. The legend of this ship and the loss of all 29 men on board is well-known, thanks to the legendary ballad by Gordon Lightfoot. I recently interviewed author John U. Bacon about his new book, Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald. We discuss the lives of these men, the tight relationships they had with each other, and the families and loved ones left behind.
For more maritime history, please listen and subscribe to Shipwreck and Sea Dogs on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Until next time, don’t forget…to wear…your…lifejackets!
