“SAIL FORTH” – A podcast series celebrating America’s Naval Heritage and her 250th anniversary in 2026.
MANY SHIPS … ONE NATION … WE THE PEOPLE
“Sail Forth – Steer for the deep waters only. Reckless O soul, exploring. I with thee and thou with me. For we are bound where mariner has not yet dared go. And we will risk the ship, ourselves, and all.”
― .
MAYFLOWER II – ORIGINS
Randal Charlton describes what inspired his father Warwick Charlton to build the Mayflower II. How his experience in World War II with British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery “Monty” allowed him to see first-hand American generosity and sacrifice. Randal also explains “The Deal” between Harry Hornblower and his father that gave Warwick the responsibility for building Mayflower II and sailing her to America.
= =
But before podcasts and the internet, people wrote letters!
MAYFLOWER II COMMEMORATIVE POSTCARD
Mayflower II commemorative postcards featured an original etching depicting the ship in full sail with billowing clouds above and frothy waves below. The image was printed in deep red ink with the caption “Mayflower Ship’s Mail” and British postage bearing Queen Elizabeth II’s image. The cancellation stamp was specifically designed for one-time use with the words “Mayflower II Maiden Voyage” circled around the date “APR-JLY 1957.”
Many were pre-addressed for delivery to recipients in the U.K. while others were to be sold to stamp collectors as a unique souvenir.
© Richard Stone
Image courtesy of the Warwick Charlton Family Archives, Charlton Foundation and Three Sisters Publishing Limited.