Sailing Tactics on the Mayflower

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Mariners in the sixteenth century had a very different skillset than today. Almost anything written in the 21st century is speculation. The China clippers were 300 years after the Mayflower with their own technology. Even Alan Villiers was bringing 20th century skills to the Mayflower. There are very few contemporary descriptions of 16th century navigation. John Smith and a few others gave glimpses. One source that hasn't been mentioned is Jouet's Journal. Robert Jouet was (probably) Henry Hudson's first mate on his first voyage. As a journal, it's a little more expanded than a log. He details the daily shiphandling as they arrived off the East Coast and made their way north to what would be known as the Hudson.

One exercise that surprised me was latching (and unlatching) bonnets to cope with changes in the wind. I've done it on the replica Dove for our awnings, but never underway.