As the Mayflower voyage had launched on September 6th, 1620, I am gathering info on what when on during the voyage itself. Today I did a little research on the crew and how that came to be. The ongoing saga of the Mayflower...
The Captain or the Ship master was a Christopher Jones, who was about 50 years old when this voyage took place. He owned 25% of the Mayflower itself, and was a seasoned Captain.
The Master Mates were the 2nd in command and they were John Clarke and Robert Coppin. Both of these had been to Virginia and the New England area on previous voyages. John Clarke himself had been captured by the Spanish in Virginia and had been imprisoned both in Havana, Cuba and Madrid, Spain for about 5 years. Their main responsibility as master mates was to guide the ship when approaching land and into safe harbor.
The Cooper was John Alden on this voyage. His duties included building, repairing and maintaining the ship's barrels. The barrels contained the food and drink needed to make this voyage both for the crew and its passengers. John Alden was about 21 years old at this time and was a distant relative of Christopher Jones, the ship's Captain.
The Ship Surgeon was Giles Heale. He was exempt from all duties except to care for the sick and injured crew members. Heale had just completed his apprenticeship in London as a Barber-surgeon, the Mayflower being his first Job in the "real" world.
The Master-Gunner was responsible for the maintenance and readiness of the ship's guns and cannons.
The Ship's Carpenter was responsible for any of the wooden and metal fixtures, also stopping leaks, and keeping the tools in good condition.
The Boatswain was responsible for the sails and the rigging of the ship, and for setting anchor.
4 Quartermasters were responsible for the cargo held on ship and for all the provisions needed during voyage, and for any fishing.
The Cook was responsible for providing all the daily meals.
The Swabber was responsible for keeping the deck well maintained and clean, and to make sure the maps were clean and in order.
The Common Sailors performed all the daily laborious tasks of hoisting sails, day to day sailing chores, and assist in steering the ship at sea.
The common sailors and crew lived on the top deck of the ship. The common sailors slept and ate at the forecastle of the ship, or at the very front of the ship itself. The men also used this area at the front to "relieve themselves", commonly referred to as the "head" of the ship, thus even today you hear the phrase, " I'm going to the head."
Welcome to the Mayflower!
The Captain or the Ship master was a Christopher Jones, who was about 50 years old when this voyage took place. He owned 25% of the Mayflower itself, and was a seasoned Captain.
The Master Mates were the 2nd in command and they were John Clarke and Robert Coppin. Both of these had been to Virginia and the New England area on previous voyages. John Clarke himself had been captured by the Spanish in Virginia and had been imprisoned both in Havana, Cuba and Madrid, Spain for about 5 years. Their main responsibility as master mates was to guide the ship when approaching land and into safe harbor.
The Cooper was John Alden on this voyage. His duties included building, repairing and maintaining the ship's barrels. The barrels contained the food and drink needed to make this voyage both for the crew and its passengers. John Alden was about 21 years old at this time and was a distant relative of Christopher Jones, the ship's Captain.
The Ship Surgeon was Giles Heale. He was exempt from all duties except to care for the sick and injured crew members. Heale had just completed his apprenticeship in London as a Barber-surgeon, the Mayflower being his first Job in the "real" world.
The Master-Gunner was responsible for the maintenance and readiness of the ship's guns and cannons.
The Ship's Carpenter was responsible for any of the wooden and metal fixtures, also stopping leaks, and keeping the tools in good condition.
The Boatswain was responsible for the sails and the rigging of the ship, and for setting anchor.
4 Quartermasters were responsible for the cargo held on ship and for all the provisions needed during voyage, and for any fishing.
The Cook was responsible for providing all the daily meals.
The Swabber was responsible for keeping the deck well maintained and clean, and to make sure the maps were clean and in order.
The Common Sailors performed all the daily laborious tasks of hoisting sails, day to day sailing chores, and assist in steering the ship at sea.
The common sailors and crew lived on the top deck of the ship. The common sailors slept and ate at the forecastle of the ship, or at the very front of the ship itself. The men also used this area at the front to "relieve themselves", commonly referred to as the "head" of the ship, thus even today you hear the phrase, " I'm going to the head."
Welcome to the Mayflower!
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