New vessel for Southampton pilots named after the Mayflower

Port bosses have named a new launch after the Mayflower, the ship that took a group of English settlers known as the Pilgrims across the Atlantic in the 17th century.

The Mayflower left Southampton in August 1620 and stopped off in Plymouth before continuing her voyage to what was once called the New World.

Her 21st century namesake is the first of three new launches for ABP Southampton - and one of nine across all the company's ports.

The vessels deliver a 40 per cent fuel saving thanks to an innovative new hull design that enables the craft to cut through the waves.

The new launch is named after the Mayflower, which sailed from Southampton to North America in the 17th century.

Mayflower will take Southampton harbour pilots to and from large ships that need to be guided in and out of the port.

During a ceremony in the Eastern Docks she was officially named by Heidi Olden, whose husband Gary is ABP Southampton’s marine services supervisor.

The vessel was blessed by the Rev Frans Sahetapy from Sailors’ Society, which offers support to seafarers across the globe.

ABP Southampton Harbourmaster Steve Masters said: “We are very grateful to Heidi and Frans for joining us for this special occasion as we welcome Mayflower to our fleet and look forward to seeing her in action safely transporting our pilots this summer.”

The new launch is named after the Mayflower, which sailed from Southampton to North America in the 17th century.

The original Mayflower left from West Quay, Southampton, and was initially accompanied by a smaller vessel called Speedwell.

But despite her name Speedwell proved to be unseaworthy and was twice forced to return to port. The Mayflower eventually set out alone from Plymouth after taking on some of the other ship's passengers.

After a 66-day voyage the settlers landed at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where they established the first permanent New England colony.

The Pilgrims, also known as the Pilgrim Fathers, were a group of people seeking religious freedom from the Church of England. Other passengers included servants and families seeking a new life in America.

Conditions in their new homeland were harsh and many failed to survive the first winter.

Although no detailed description of the vessel survives marine archaeologists estimate the square-rigged ship was just 90ft long and weighed about 180 tons.

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