The Mayflower II is not just another reproduction ship. It’s a special replica and an important link to America’s past, as you’ll discover here.

The Mayflower voyage of 1620 almost didn’t happen.

The first attempt at crossing for the pilgrims began at Dartmouth, England in August 1620.

But 300 miles out the sister ship “Speedwell” was leaking so badly that both ships returned to Plymouth. Passengers and cargo were all transferred to the Mayflower.

Finally, on September 6th, 1620, just the Mayflower left Plymouth for America, and the historic journey began.

The Mayflower is recorded as a stormy passage of 66 days in 1620 between September – November.

These days we know this period to be during the height of the North Atlantic Hurricane season, and so the rough passage is not surprising to us.