Notes on Mayflower Modeling

NOTES ON MAYFLOWER MODELING

For one with a passion for things Mayflower, creating a replica of the ship in miniature is a rewarding way to express it. This article will discuss some of the options and considerations for anyone intending to make a Mayflower model. Fully assembled models are readily available but will not be discussed here.

A prime consideration in creating a model of an historic ship is to achieve as high a degree of accuracy as possible. Some famous ships that are favorites of modelers still exist, such as the U.S.S. Constitution and H.M.S. Victory. Accuracy there is limited only by the modeler’s skill. Other ships no longer exist but are well documented with plans, photographs, paintings and detailed written descriptions.

A highly detailed description of the Mayflower is found in the carefully researched Land Ho! 1620 by W. Sears Nickerson. Unfortunately, his description is almost entirely speculative, as Mr. Nickerson readily admits. It is based upon William Bradford’s statement that the Mayflower was of 180 tons burden, or about 244 gross tons, available records of the Mayflower’s service as a cargo carrier, and knowledge of similar merchant vessels of the time. This allows the modeler some flexibility in such things as color and deck plan, but also creates striking differences in the models available in kit form; no two Mayflower kits will produce the same ship.

In choosing a Mayflower kit, the first decision is whether to use plastic or wood; both are available. The advantages of plastic kits are that they are less expensive and easier to make. Wooden kits can be very challenging and time consuming. The finished product of a plastic kit is far less satisfying, however. The author had made both plastic and wooden kits of other ships before trying the Mayflower and completed a plastic kit, as a way of gaining knowledge of the ship before tackling the wooden kit. The plastic kit turned out well and is displayed on the wall below his Society of Mayflower Descendant’s membership certificate. It was made from a 1:96 Airfix kit produced by Humbrol Limited.and cost about $50. Heller, Trumpeter and Revell also make or have made plastic kits of the Mayflower. Kits no longer produced may still be available on the internet.

Wooden kits come in two basic forms: solid hull and plank on bulkhead hollow hull. Again both have advantages and disadvantages. A solid hull kit begins with a roughly shaped piece of wood that must be finished into a hull by the modeler. Mistakes in removing too much wood may be difficult to repair, however with care a fine appearance can be achieved in less time than building a hollow hull model. The author finds the solid hull kits he has made to be satisfying in the result but less so in the process of making them.

Hollow hull model ships are made in much the same way a real ship is made. One starts with a keel, adds bulkheads and decking to stiffen the frame, then builds up the sides plank by plank. This is a challenging and time consuming process but is well worth the effort. Each plank is a thin, straight strip of wood that must be permanently bent, cut and fitted to the bulkheads so as to conform to the curves of the hull. Often the instructions that come with the kits, particularly those manufactured in Europe, do not explain how to do this; it is assumed that anyone attempting this type of kit will know the process. It involves steaming and careful measurement. The author’s work in progress is of this type from a 1:64 kit by Artesania Latina, S.A. Similar kits cost in the range of $145 to $270 and use scales from 1:60 to 1:70.

How does one chose the kit that will most closely resemble what we think we know about the real ship? Several specific areas of the vessel may be looked at to see differences in the design of the available models. First, the transom, or “rear end ”of the ship, may be broad top and bottom, or broad at the waterline but narrowing considerably at the top. The author’s opinion is that the latter is more accurate. In both naval and merchant vessels, the captain’s cabin was in the stern. Broad transoms were typical of naval sailing vessels, naval captains needed a large cabin for the convenience of their rank, to hold conferences and occasionally for small cannon to shot at a chasing enemy. Merchant ships of the era had transoms that were much narrow at the top. Merchant captains had to make due with smaller quarters, it seems. The narrow at the top transom was typical of the small English merchant galleons of the late 16th - early 17th Century, and we believe the Mayflower was of this class.

Another difference seen in the models is the number and placement of cannon. The Mayflower probably carried some cannon as this was typical for merchant vessels of the era. They needed some protection from pirates. Most models, and the Mayflower II replica, have 4 gun ports on each side at the gun deck level below the main deck and 2 more ports in the transom. Some models have several cannon placed on the main deck.
Cannon were heavy and in significant number would slow the ship down. The cannon and the gun power need to fire them were expensive, and crews had to practice to be able to use them effectively. The merchant owners then, as now, were concerned with profit and saving expense. Each cannon required a crew of about 4 men to load, run out, fire and retract and swab during combat. Even if fighting an enemy on a single side, a merchant ship would have great difficulty firing a broadside of cannon and at the same time maneuvering the ship with the available crew.

It is very likely, however, that the cannon were removed when the ship was used to take the pilgrims to America. There would have been little foreseeable need for them and the added weight would have been something to avoid.

The wooden model being made by the author has no gun deck ports below the main deck. We don’t know which is correct, however if there had been gun ports cut in the hull, they could have been opened, weather permitting, and allowed in some much needed fresh air for the passengers. As the passengers complained about the lack of fresh air below the main deck, it seems likely that any gun ports were sealed shut for the voyage to America.

Finally, placement of the bow sprint should be considered. It is that long pole angling up at the front (bow). Some models have the bow sprint entering the foredeck in the mid-line of the ship. Actually, it was probably offset a little to the starboard (right)-
side to allow it to be run back past the foremast which would be set exactly in the midline. A small detail, perhaps, but to the careful modeler an important one.

Most of the models, plastic or wooden, come with sails that may be set at the option of the modeler. Many pictures of models show all of the sails set. If one decides to set sails, it is important to remember that setting all of the sails at once would be correct only for certain relative wind directions and strengths and would not be done as a general rule. For example, the triangular lateen sail on the mizzen mast would be set for sailing upwind but not when running downwind with yards squared. The modeler should consult accurate paintings of ships under sail to give his model a more realistic appearance.

Those desiring more information about and pictures of some of the available Mayflower models may look at the following websites:
mamolimodel.com
drydockmodels.com
historicships.com
hobbylinc.com