The Voyage Part III

Two hours into the search the weather turned foul with winds gusting and snow squalls setting in. Visibility was greatly reduced, the winds were blowing against the current creating a rogue seaway with large and choppy waves.

The severe action of the schallop against the sea's broke the rudder, thankfully there were oars aboard and the vessel was propelled under oar power.

As the evening darkness approached they sighted Plymouth Harbor but the weather wasn't cooperating with them. As the schallop turned into the wind to make for Plymouth Harbor, the mast snapped into three pieces.

Under the expert seamanship of coxswain John Clark, a helmsman of the Mayflower's crew they were able to fetch Plymouth Harbor under the cloak of darkness.

Because of the darkness they beached themselves on a sandy beach on a island in the harbors entrance. They named this location Clark Island, after their Coxswain John Clark under whose masterful seamanship was able to save the Pilgrims from the squall.

The following morning found the Pilgrims exhausted, hungry and cold however they proceeded to explore the island, thinking it might be a good spot for a settlement.

Part of the crew stayed behind to conduct repairs on the schallop as the rest of the Pilgrims explored the island. The following day was the sabbath and the Pilgrims rested and showed respect for their lord.

With calmer weather on Monday they explored the harbor which they had entered and they were quite impressed! The harbor was available to Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic ocean for the giant cod to be sent back to their investors in England.

The harbor was deep enough for large ships to enter and anchor. There were many creeks coming down to the bay from the surrounding hills.

The land was well suited for farming with it's meadows that were barren of tree's so little ground prep would be needed before planting.

They returned to the Mayflower in Providence Barbour with the delightful new's. They were all in agreement on this new location for their settlement. One of the Pilgrims wrote in his diary “did much comfort their hearts”!

The following day the Mayflower raised their anchor and set a course to cross Cape Cod Bay to Plymouth Harbor, their new home !

Square rigged ships don't sail well into the wind like modern sloop rigged sail boats. They are designed to go “down wind”, which was usually the trade wind routes during the age of discovery.

The winds were against the Mayflower on the first day, they attempted to make landfall by going into the wind. This was to no avail, they hove to out in Cape Cod Bay and by early morning the winds had diminished and they were able to enter Plymouth Harbor.