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Revision as of 09:12, 5 September 2002 by Isis~enwiki (talk | contribs) (add date)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Mayflower was, most famously, the ship which transported the Pilgrim Fathers from Plymouth, England to North Virginia in what was later to become the United States of America in 1620. Initially the plan was for the voyage to be made in two vessels (the other being the Speedwell), however, due to problems after setting out both ships were forced to return and after some reorganisation the voyage was made in the Mayflower alone. As a result of the delay, the settlers did not arrive until the onset of winter, which made for a difficult time for them.
Details regarding the size and overall dimensions of the ship are unknown, but it has been estimated from its load weight and the usual size of 180-ton merchant ships in the period to be 90 - 110 feet in length and about 25 feet in width. Careful research went into designing a replica, the Mayflower II (launched on September 22, 1956), to make it as much like its namesake as possible.
The Mayflower is, incidentally, the emblem of the English football club Plymouth Argyle F.C., who are known by the nickname of "The Pilgrims".