Mayflower II Captain's Blog

Lastest issue of Friends of Mayflower II Newsletter

Peter Arenstam — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:17:44 +0000

Some people have e-mailed me that they couldn’t open the November Newsletter I sent recently. I have been told the file is too big for some e-mail boxes. As an alternative, you can click on the link below to view it. If you want to receive the newsletter directly, and have the e-mailing where-with-all, send me an note and I will add your name to the list.

Enjoy!

You can download the latest issue here.

Fifty Two years and Counting

Peter Arenstam — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:41:33 +0000

Saturday June 13 was the fifty second anniversary of Mayflower II sailing into Plymouth harbor. Past posts have covered many parts of the big event in 2007. You can also learn all about the ship and its history by going to the Mayflower section of our website.

This year there were a lot of things to do and see at the Mayflower site. We had paper bag puppet making, face painting, movies from 1957 running on a loop below decks, interpreters talking about Alan Vilieres, and all the books he wrote and a whole host of other things.

I was doing a book signing for the Felix and His Mayflower II Adventure, available through our online retail store, and the Nicholas, A New England Tale series of books, also available through our retail website.

The couple to my right in the picture is Joe Meany and his wife Ann. Joe was the American cabin boy during the 1957 crossing of Mayflower II. One of his duties was to keep an eye on the young kitten, Felix, acquired just before the ship sailed from Brixham.

Hey Mister, what are you doing ?

Peter Arenstam — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:04:30 +0000

We hear that a lot. Most times a simple answer is forth coming. “I’m painting the ship.” “I’m replacing a plank.” “I’m tarring the rigging. Today the response to that question has me staring into the corner I’m working in inside the great cabin and wonder, “Hey, yeah,what am I doing?”

This little bit of rot in the corner of the Great Cabin is one of those suprises that can really slow you down. We have been finishing up a repair in the cabin, started by the shipyard this past winter. (Maybe the subject of another post)

Finally we, that is Jack and I, (There is only Jack and I now, also a good subject for another post), are getting the bulkhead between the great cabin and steerage back together. the port side went fine, although there are always some unexpected little issue that crop up. the Starborad side however reveled a rotten block of wood that fits between to frames right at deck level. The block has always been hidden by a bed that was removed for this work. Upon close inspection the rot was discovered.

The best way to deal with this parrticular kind of blocking is to remove the planks on the outside of the ship, fashion a new block, with it’s dovetails and all, slide it back into place refasten, or make new planks, caulk. fill, and paint the new planks. Were talking maybe two weeks work, with staging, other jobs to do and the weather.

So I find myself staring into the corner, trying to figure out how to fit this new piece of wood, that is covered with bedding, only fits once it is in place, knowing all the time that this really isn’t the way to be doing this job. “Yeah, Mister, What are you doing?”

This one is a test

Peter Arenstam — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:56:25 +0000

I am going to start posting again soon. Right now I am trying to remember how to insert pictures etc.

The picture is from last Friday’s launching at the Jones River landing. I taught a boat building class there last winter. The 13 students built this boat over the course of 10 weeks, meeting Saturday mornings and Tuesday nights.

Video: Mayflower II’s return to Plymouth

Rich — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:26:36 +0000

Find more videos like this on Hollywood East TV

Last week, Mayflower II returned to Plymouth Harbor after receiving winter repairs. Our own Peter Arenstram was aboard, and published audio blog posts from her deck. In case you weren’t able to get a glimpse of her (or Peter) during her jouney, we present this video. Enjoy!

Morou(?), the East end…

Rich — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:34:55 +0000

Morou(?), the East end of the canal now, I’ve seen a lot of friends along the side of the canal. And especially all our friends are listening on Cape Cast. I want to say hi to all of you. And some intrepid reporters from the Cape Cod(?) Times who have been snapping our pictures in the rain. We’ll see you all in…
listen

We’re in the Cape Cod…

Rich — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:01:30 +0000

We’re in the Cape Cod Canal. We just arrived. It’s about 2:00. Little bit of a brisk wind. We are coming by the Nastot(?) Maritime Ship, and looking for friends on the sides of the canal.
listen

Well, we’re making some…

Rich — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:51:36 +0000

Well, we’re making some progress now. We’re just in the Hog Island Channel, which is at the west end of the canal. I can see the turbine at the maritime academy. And of course, the bridge, the railroad bridge, and it’s spitting rain at little bit right now.
listen

So here we are in Buzzards…

Rich — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:51:10 +0000

So here we are in Buzzards Bay, we’re just approaching the Cleveland ledge light in Buzzards Bay and we’ve got the Raywood(?) Bridge in Cape Cod Canal in sight. We should…
listen

We’re on the way. We’re…

Rich — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:04:09 +0000

We’re on the way. We’re leaving San Haven Hup(?), we’re out in New Bedford now. Out in badger’s day(?), it’s a great afternoon here. Overcast, but calm seas. We should be at the canal about 1:30.
listen