The newly renovated Mayflower II has returned to its home in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
At 2 p.m. on June 6, the ship arrived at the Plymouth Harbor and docked at the end of Frazier State Pier as shipmaster Christopher Jones blew his whistle and commanded his crew to move quickly.
"It's a thrill to see her looking so well," says Jones.
People Delighted
Hundreds of spectators waited at the shore to witness the return of the ship and its momentous sailing. The area was also filled with honking sounds as the nearby boats paid respect.
There was also a pair of Native American interpreters who chanted to the ship while rowing a small canoe in the harbor.
The Mayflower II
In 1620, the original Mayflower sailed the Pilgrims to Massachusetts. The Mayflower II is actually a recreation of the first ship and measures 106 feet. It was built in 1957 and must be restored and renovated from time to time. This is to ensure that it remains safe as it serves its purpose as a floating museum.
In December 2015, the Mayflower II was brought to Mystic, Connecticut to be restored through the efforts of Plimoth Plantation, a history museum in Plymouth.
Plimoth manager Kate Sheehan said that while the ship was in Mystic, restoration of the topmast rigging and tween deck plus replacement of its half-deck were performed.
On June 5, Mayflower II left Connecticut at around 8 a.m. The ship rested at New Bedford come night time and then traveled to Cape Cod on Monday morning before finally arriving at Plymouth.
Sheehan says the upcoming summer will bring excitement to many visitors as they see the restoration. Aside from that, admission is free throughout the summer for residents of Plymouth.
The plantation hopes to raise $8 million to fully finish the restoration by the year 2020 when Plymouth celebrates its 400th anniversary.
Replicas of historic ships are something that interest most people. In 2014, the replica of French ship Hermione, which transported General Lafayette in America set sail, bringing delight to the public.
