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PHOTOS: Mayflower II begins journey back to Plymouth after three years of repairs worth $11.2 million
Cue the cameras: The Mayflower II is ready for its closeup and its journey home. The replica of the original Mayflower ship that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620 has been preparing to embark from Connecticut after three years' and $11.2 million worth of renovations — and several months of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The beloved vessel was scheduled to be towed from the preservation shipyard at the Mystic Seaport Museum to New London, Connecticut for two weeks of sea trials before heading up the coast. The 64-year-old historic reproduction is scheduled arrive back at the harbor just down the road from the Plimoth Plantation living history museum on or around August 10. The original plan had called for a celebratory departure in late April with several stops at southern New England ports before a May arrival. That was to include being led into Boston Harbor under sail with the USS Constitution for a maritime festival to mark the 400th anniversary of the original Mayflower voyage. But those plans were scrapped because of the pandemic.The ship is now planning to make two overnight stops, without fanfare or crowds. The public can follow the trip online.
Updated on: Jul 29, 2020 1:05 PM IST
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Groton: Spectator boats motor past the Mayflower II sailing through the waters of Fishers Island Sound off Groton, Conn., Tuesday, July 28, 2020, on the seventh day of two weeks of sea trials. The vessel, a replica of the original Mayflower that carried the Pilgrims to America in 1620, left Mystic Seaport Museum last week after a three-year, $11.2 million restoration by the workers at the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard. Events scheduled in Boston and Cape Cod this spring and summer for the 400th anniversary were all postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Mayflower II will be docked, when not at sea, at City Pier in New London until it departs sometime next week for its return to Plymouth. (AP)
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Crew member Max Otto prepares to raise the Cross of St. George flag during morning colours on board the Mayflower II docked at City Pier in New London, Conn., Tuesday, July 28, 2020, on the seventh day of two weeks of sea trials. (AP)
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The tugboat Jaguar moves away after dropping its tow line from the Mayflower II in Fishers Island Sound off Groton, Conn., Tuesday, July 28, 2020, during the seventh day of two weeks of sea trials. (AP)
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A spectator boat buzzes by the Mayflower II sailing through the waters of Fishers Island Sound off Groton, Conn., Tuesday, July 28, 2020, on the seventh day of two weeks of sea trials. (AP)
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Crew member Sarah Clement loosens a stuck line as the Mayflower II sets sail in the waters of Fishers Island Sound off Groton, Conn., Tuesday, July 28, 2020, on the seventh day of two weeks of sea trials. (AP)
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On the seventh day of two weeks of sea trials, the Mayflower II sails through the waters of Fishers Island Sound off Groton, Conn., Tuesday, July 28, 2020. (AP)
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The Mayflower II sails through the waters of Fishers Island Sound off Groton, Conn., Tuesday, July 28, 2020, on the seventh day of two weeks of sea trials. (AP)
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The tugboat Jaguar guides the Mayflower II down the Thames River off New London, Conn., Tuesday, July 28, 2020, on the seventh day of two weeks of sea trials. (AP)
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