The Mayflower II, a replica of the original ship that brought the Pilgrims to North America in 1620, was launched at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut on Saturday.
The ship was christened with water from all 50 states as well as the U.K. and Holland.
Harriett Cross, the British Consul General for New England, did the honors.
“It’s an experience I will never forget. I mean, literally, I will never get an opportunity in my life to christen such an historic ship, absolutely fantastic. I am the godmother of the ship, which is thrilling. ”
The ship is a point of pride for many descendants of the original passengers.
Caroline Stanley, a retired school teacher from West Haven, Connecticut, is one of them, which she confirmed through her husband’s genealogy research.
“He has traced a direct line from John Howland, who was one of the people on the Mayflower, directly down to me, so that’s kind of exciting that I actually had relatives that came over on the Mayflower.”
It’s taken three years to fully restore the Mayflower II, with 75% of the timbers being replaced.
Next year will be the 400th anniversary of the original crossing by the Pilgrims.
Events to celebrate the historic milestone will be held in Boston and Plymouth, Massachusetts, which will be the ship’s home port.