The Embarkation
A small vessel of about sixty tons called the Speedwell and commanded by Captain Reynolds was secured in Holland and another, somewhat larger, the Mayflower, of London, commanded by Captain Jones. The Speedwell left Delft-Haven in July, 1620, with a company of thirty, including William Bradford, William Brewster, John Carver, Edward Winslow, Isaac Allerton, Samuel Fuller and John Howland. Captain Myles Standish was also a member of the company although not of the congregation. He was a soldier whose value to the Colony proved outstanding. They left with the blessing of John Robinson who intended to follow but whose dreams were never to be realized.
Note: Dates following accord with the modern calendar except those marked O.S. indicating Old Style.
The first party reached Southampton where the Mayflower awaited them with ninety passengers. On the fifteenth of August both vessels set sail but had gone but a short distance when the Speedwell began to leak. They put back to Dartmouth where eight days were spent in repairs when the ships again put to sea. They had covered scarcely three hundred miles when the Speedwell again began leaking. Both vessels turned back, putting into Plymouth harbor where the leaking craft was abandoned. Here eighteen of her passengers decided not to continue.
Sighting of Provincetown, showing deck construction of Mayflower type of boat
Voyage and Arrival
The Mayflower with its added burden, now numbering one hundred and two souls, left Plymouth September 16th, 1620, and began its historic journey westward. For a goodly part of the voyage of over two months duration the ship was buffeted by equinoctial winds and high seas and, as they neared the coast, a death is recorded, that of William Butten, a youth, servant of Samuel Fuller. The records also disclose the birth of a son, Oceanus, to Stephen and Elizabeth Hopkins. “After long beating at sea they fell with that land which is called Cape Cod; the which being made and certainly known to be it, they were not a little joyful. After some deliberation had amongst themselves and with the master of the ship, they tacked about and resolved to stand for the southward (the wind and weather being fair) to find some place about Hudson River for their habitation.
“But after they had sailed the course about half the day, they fell amongst dangerous shols and roaring breakers, and they were so far entangled therewith as they conceived themselves in great danger; and the wind shrinking upon them withall; they resolved to bear up again for the Cape, and thought themselves happy to get out of those dangers before night overtook them, as by God’s providence they did. And the next day they got into the Cape Harbor where they rode in safety.”
It was the 21st of November (present calendar) when the Mayflower dropped anchor in the sheltered and quiet waters of Provincetown Harbor and one may well imagine the happiness and gratitude of these weary voyagers when they sighted this haven of refuge and were once more able to place their feet upon dry land. As Bradford records: “Being thus arrived in a good harbor and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper element.”