A Cracking Time

Click here The Mayflower’s journey across the Atlantic was not an easy one and she was harassed by numerous storms, which pushed her off her intended course 

During one of these storms a violent wave slammed against the ship sending it flying and crashing back into the waves.  The force cracked the main beam of the ship causing the upper deck to buckle.  Below the waters poured in on the overcrowded passengers who rightly feared for their lives as they were drenched. 

Fortunately, some of the men among the passengers had brought a “great iron screw” as part of their supplies to help build their new homes.  The great screw was a mechanical device also known as a jackscrew.  For hours the men worked in the storm with little to no light in extremely tight spaces securing the main beam and preventing it from cracking more; and so the Mayflower survived another tempest. to edit.

These scenes were built by James Pegrum as part of a series of models on the voyage of the Mayflower. Follow us on  Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see them first.