Today was moving day for the Mayflower II. Just like last year, she was heading off to Connecticut for maintenance over the winter. She is getting all spruced up in time for the 400th anniversary of the original Mayflower arrival here in the New World in 1620. (This image was post-processed with a black and white pen and ink effect).
I arrived early at the pier to watch - there was no tug boat in sight - I waited - barely fifteen minutes before Mayflower II was scheduled to depart, the tug rounded the corner of Long Beach and headed for the dock - the few other tourists did normal tourist things.
Some were perhaps wistful in anticipation of the landmark ship being gone again for the winter.
The tug approached unceremoniously.......
.......and attached the towline. The only other boat still in the harbor was the police boat at far right above monitoring the Mayflower II departure. (Panorama - click to view in full width).
The tug pulled the towline taut, the deck hands cast off the other anchoring lines, and at exactly the scheduled departure time.......
....off she went - quickly and efficiently.
Somehow I expected more pomp and circumstance - maybe some music, or fireworks, or costumed Pilgrim staff waving from the deck.
She rounded the end of the harbor......turned.....
... and was gone until spring 2016.
Every time I see her I imagine what it must have been like arriving in late November in 1620 after 60+ days at sea, more than 100 people living on that boat in about the space of a tennis court, the harsh winter ahead, half their number dead by spring - wow.
Plymouth - America's Hometown is left to face the cold winter without her resident icon. Ah yes, but, spring is coming soon.........
Plymouth - America's Hometown is left to face the cold winter without her resident icon. Ah yes, but, spring is coming soon.........
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