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A member of the 1957 Mayflower II crew using a cross-staff, a traditional 17th-century navigational instrument.
Navigation in 1957
Navigation in 1957
When sailing in 1957, the Mayflower II crew attempted to use the same navigational tools and techniques used in the 17th-century. Below are several objects used for navigational purposes during Mayflower II's voyage in 1957. Some of these objects, such as the traverse board, block, cross-staff and quadrant have replicas aboard Mayflower II today for educational purposes. Other objects, like the sextant, were not used during the original 1620 Mayflower crossing, but were aboard Mayflower II in 1957.
Click on the objects to learn more!
Navigation in 2020
Navigation in 2020
Although some 17th-century navigational tools remain on Mayflower II for educational purposes, for practical, legal and safety reasons, today Mayflower II relies on modern technology such as a GPS, AIS, radar and radios for navigation and communications. She is also routinely checked and certified by the United States Coast Guard for upholding the same safety and maintenance requirements as any other modern sea vessel.
The image on the right shows Mayflower II's modern navigation system: a GARMIN computer and GPS, with the Automated Identification System (AIS) to the left and radio and alarms to the right. A list of emergency procedures is nailed below the window.
Where is the ship's wheel?
Where is the ship's wheel?
In the 17th-century, tall ships did not have wheels to steer the ship, but instead relied on a whip-staff, a lever used by the helmsman to control the rudder. The whip-staff was often below deck so the helmsman had to rely solely on the Captain or Master's orders from the deck above him, as he could not see the horizon. However, Mayflower II in 1957 did have a wheel placed on the upper deck as part of the requirements for the sail but it was removed in 1958. For the 2020 sail, Mayflower II used the traditional 17th-century method of steering: the whip-staff.
Navigating Mayflower II Today
Navigating Mayflower II Today
Mayflower GPS.mp4Whit Perry, Director of Maritime Preservation and Operations and Captain of Mayflower II, explains how the GPS and Automated Identification System (AIS) are used to assist in navigation aboard Mayflower II today.
Learning the Ropes
Learning the Ropes
sailingmayflowermovie.mp4Various members of the 2020 Mayflower II crew discuss the difficulties of learning how to sail a tall ship and the types of training required. They, quite literally, had to "learn the ropes."
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