Meaney to sail on Mayflower II again

Plimoth Plantation is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Mayflower II with the return of one of the original crew this week.

Joe Meaney, now 67, was a Waltham high school student who had never sailed when he signed on as American cabin boy for Mayflower II in the spring of 1957. But by the time the ship made its way from Plymouth, England, to Plymouth, Mass., Meaney was a high school graduate and full-fledged sailor.

A retired product manager for Digital Corp., Meaney returned to the ship that made him famous a half century ago to help the Plantation celebrate the golden anniversary June 13. He is back again this weekend for a sail in Cape Cod Bay Sunday, July 22.

"Thanks for taking such good care of her all these years," Meaney said during his visit in June. "She looks great."

A British journalist who served with American forces in North Africa during World War II helped nurture the Mayflower II. Warwick Chalrton built a replica of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America in 1620 as a symbol of the bond between the two English-speaking countries.

The original paint job is long gone, replaced by what historians say is a more accurate representation of a 17th century vessel. And since its arrival in 1957, the ship has had its decks replaced twice.

But much of the original ship remains as solid as Meaney's memories of the ship's arrival here on June 13, 1957.

"We were not able to go ashore in Provincetown, so this was the first landfall for the crew since we left Plymouth, England," Meaney said. "It was chaos and confusion, but good confusion."

Meaney earned the job of American cabin boy for the historic trip across the ocean after winning the Boys Club of America's top citizenry prize in 1957.

"I was the token Yank," Meaney said.

A novice aboard ship and the second youngest member of the crew, Meaney looks back on his life-altering adventure as his coming of age. Fifty years later, his favorite memories are of simply fitting in among the seasoned sailors and winning their acceptance.

It did not start well. Before the ship was out of sight of land, Meaney was desperately seasick. He recalls sitting on his bunk and realizing that the entire trip could be a disaster if he did not conquer his stomach.

Watching experienced sailors suffer the same troubles may have helped. Meaney remembers realizing there was no shame in being seasick while also understanding that it was largely a mental problem. He resolved to overcome the malady and simply worked through it.

In addition to seeing to the needs of the senior crewmembers, Meaney and Graham Nunn, his 16-year-old English counterpart on the voyage, worked the rigging and spent regular shifts at the wheel.

"It was definitely a learning experience. I started from scratch and didn't know anything about rigging or how to sail. I knew fore and aft and starboard and port, but that was about it," Meaney said.

Like others of the crew, Meaney looks back fondly on his opportunity to sail with Capt. Alan Villiers. The acknowledged master of square-riggers of his day, Villiers commanded a presence on deck.

"Whenever Alan was there you just knew it and felt it. When he was on ship he knew everything that was going on. If you had the wheel Alan could be 30 feet away and know if you were on course or not," Meaney said.

The crew worked four-hour shifts with eight hours off, but Meaney and Nunn still had to make sure the senior crew got their meals on time.

Like the Mayflower, Mayflower II sailed solely on wind power. But the trip was different from the original voyage in other ways.

Mayflower II carried only men. Instead of livestock, the replica had a stowaway kitten, Felix, which was taken care of by Meany. The newer ship was also outfitted on orders from the British government with a wheel and modern communications equipment. Mayflower II also followed a more southerly route.

Days at a time would pass without the crew seeing another ship at sea. But once the ship reached the southern shipping lanes, contact with the outside world, even if only visible, became almost a daily occurrence.

The highlight of the crossing may have been the passing of three Italian destroyer escorts. The Italians sent a tender over to Mayflower II with the only fresh fruit the crew saw on the crossing. Meaney remembers glimpses of oranges, grapefruits and apples.

"It was gone fast," he said.

Like the original voyage, the 1957 crossing met fair and foul weather. Villiers began to show some frustration as calm weather kept the ship off schedule, but the relaxed pace had its advantages.

"The days becalmed in the tropics were something you just can't describe. It was so peaceful. Especially at night," Meaney said. "A number of times I had to be lifeguard because I was a swimmer. You could just jump in. Then they throw out a life line, just in case."

The crew celebrated Meaney's graduation from high school with a makeshift cap and gown as the ship neared the eastern seaboard. More significantly to the cabin boy, the crew also certified him as an official sailor.

Meaney vaguely recalls meeting Vice President Richard Nixon amid all the hoopla that accompanied the ship's arrival. After 55 days at sea, he was more interested in tracking down his girlfriend and parents.

The trip changed everything for the teen. While at sea, his father fielded an offer for a full scholarship at Notre Dame. Meaney studied electrical engineering as an undergraduate, then took a master's degree in business. He sailed a bit in college and appeared on the television show "I've Got a Secret." He also kept in touch with Nunn, visiting his fellow cabin boy while on business trips to England until Nunn's death in the 1990s.

Meany will be on board Mayflower II when she sails into Cape Cod Bay as part of the 50th anniversary celebration July 22. One of eight surviving crewmembers expected for the trip, Meaney will not be in the rigging or the galley. For Mayflower II's golden anniversary, the former cabin boy will be a guest of honor.

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Staff photo/Wesley Ennis

Joe Meany visits below deck on board Mayflower II for the first time in 50 years when he sailed aboard her as the American cabin boy at the age of 17.

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Staff photo/Wesley Ennis

Joe Meany, who served on board Mayflower II as the American cabin boy during the 1957 trans-Atlantic voyage, talks with visitors Wednesday below deck.

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Staff photo/Wesley Ennis

Joe Meany, who served on board Mayflower II as the American cabin boy during the 1957 trans-Atlantic voyage, talks with visitors to the ship Wednesday.