Voyage of The Mayflower and The Speedwell

VOYAGE OF THE MAYFLOWER
AND THE SPEEDWELL

The Leiden Separatists bought a small ship, the Speedwell, in Holland. They embarked from Delftshaven on July 22, 1620.

They sailed to Southampton, England to meet the Mayflower, which had been chartered by their English investors. There, other Separatists and additional colonists joined them.

On August 15, the Mayflower and Speedwell set sail for America. The Speedwell leaked so badly that both ships turned back to England, putting in first at Dartmouth and then at Plymouth. Finally, on September 16, 1620, the Mayflower set sail, alone, for America.

Detail from: Mayflower & Speedwell in Dartmouth Harbor by Wilcox

"The dangers were great, but not desperate; the difficulties were many, but not invincible... their ends were good & honorable... and therefore they might expect the blessing of God."

William Bradford

The Mayflower was a sizable cargo ship, around 100 feet in length. She had served many years in the wine trade.. With the crowding of 102 passengers plus crew, each family was allotted very little space. For a list of the Mayflower passengers, click HERE.

The Mayflower at Sea by Margeson

"Now all being compact together in one ship, they put to sea again with a prosperous wind."

William Bradford

The 66-day voyage was frequently stormy. At one point, a main beam cracked and had to be repaired using a large iron screw. When the passengers sighted Cape Cod, they realized that they had failed to reach Virginia, where they had permission to settle. The season was late, however, and supplies of food and water were low. They could go no further. Click HERE for a quote from the 17th-century journal of Pilgrim Governor William Bradford