Blockade Runners · 2026
IN CUFFE'S WAKE: A Voyage Through History Aboard the Mayflower II Shallop
South Coast and the Islands · August 14–22, 2026
The Blockade Runners voyage (August 14–22, 2026) commemorates Revolution 250 and honors Captain Paul Cuffe's Revolutionary War blockade-running exploits. The Mayflower II Fuller Shallop, accompanied by the restored 1941 wooden sardine carrier WILLIAM UNDERWOOD, retraces a coastal route from Westport Point through Padanaram Harbor and Cuttyhunk to Nantucket. The Shallop Project is documenting the full voyage through photography, video, drone footage, interviews, and public programming.
Deeper historical and editorial context — on Paul Cuffe's life, the significance of blockade running, what a shallop is, and Indigenous and African American maritime history — is in development and will be added here. [Placeholder: researched historian/editorial copy needed before publishing these sections.]
Route
Westport Point → Padanaram → Cuttyhunk → Nantucket
2026-08-14
Westport Point
Arrival and three days of public programming with the Shallop Project.
2026-08-17
Padanaram Harbor
Single-day public program at Apponagansett Landing, then departure for Cuttyhunk.
2026-08-17
Cuttyhunk
Multi-day stop, including an evening CUFFE: TAXED screening and Q&A.
2026-08-20
Nantucket
Final stop — Nathaniel Philbrick talk, public tours, and a CUFFE: TAXED screening and panel at the Whaling Museum.
2026-08-22
Departure
Mayflower II Fuller Shallop and WILLIAM UNDERWOOD depart Nantucket, concluding the voyage.
Day by Day
The published schedule
As announced before the voyage. On the day, weather and the water set the times.
Featured public programs
Highlights of the program
August 15, 2026
Panel Discussion — Paul Cuffe's Legacy
Paquachuck Inn, Westport Point
Westport Point
Open to the public
August 17, 2026
Official Arrival — Padanaram Harbor
Apponagansett Landing
Padanaram Harbor
Open to the public
August 18, 2026
CUFFE: TAXED — Screening + Q&A
Cuttyhunk Church
Cuttyhunk
Open to the public
August 20, 2026
Nathaniel Philbrick: The Voyages of the Mayflower and Her Shallop
Great Harbor Yacht Club
Nantucket
Open to the public
August 21, 2026
Public Shallop Tours — Town Pier
Town Pier / 36 Washington Street, Nantucket
Nantucket
Open to the public
August 21, 2026
CUFFE: TAXED + Panel Discussion — Whaling Museum
Nantucket Whaling Museum
Nantucket
Open to the public
Times, venues, and stops reflect the published Blockade Runners schedule and are subject to change for weather, safety, and vessel readiness.