Sail Martha’s Vineyard will present a fireside dinner and slide presentation at the Black Dog Tavern on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. Capt. Peter Arenstam of Plimoth Plantation will speak on the unique history of the Mayflower II.

The ship, built in England in 1957, crossed the Atlantic in 55 days with a crew of sailors, schoolteachers and its mascot, a small kitten named Felix. There was a great deal of speculation whether this oddly shaped ship, such as had not been seen on the ocean since the 17th century, would make it safely to America.

Captain Arenstam, the manager of the maritime artisans at Plimoth Plantation, oversees the restoration and sailing program of the reproduction ship, Mayflower II. He sailed as the captain on a Jamestown settlement reproduction ship during production of the film The New World and has a role in the History Channel’s documentary, Desperate Crossings: The Untold Story of the Mayflower. He is the co-author of Mayflower 1620: a New Look at the Pilgrim Voyage. He also wrote the children’s book Felix and his Mayflower II Adventures. His latest book is Nicholas, A Massachusetts Tale.

The cost of the evening is $20 for adults and $12 for children. Reservations may be made by calling Sail Martha’s Vineyard at 508-696-7644.