The Mayflower, the ship that carried the Pilgrims to the New World, is often romanticized in American history. However, the reality of the journey was far from idyllic. The conditions were harsh, the journey was perilous, and the future uncertain. Here are some often-overlooked facts about that famous voyage that prove most of us would have stayed put in Europe instead of willingly stepping foot aboard the Mayflower!
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The Voyage Wasn’t Short
The Mayflower’s voyage from England to the New World took 66 grueling days. The ship was constantly battered by strong winds and high seas, making the journey incredibly uncomfortable for the passengers.
Fun Fact: The Mayflower was originally supposed to sail in July 1620, but due to various delays, it didn’t leave England until September 6, 1620. This meant that the ship had to cross the Atlantic during the stormy autumn season.
Cramped Living Conditions
The Mayflower was not a passenger ship, but a cargo ship. The living quarters were cramped, with approximately 102 passengers living in a space designed for transporting goods, not people.
Fun Fact: The living area for the passengers, known as the ‘tween deck, had no windows and was only about five and a half feet high. This meant that most adults couldn’t stand up straight.
Lack of Fresh Food and Water
The diet on the Mayflower was far from appetizing. The passengers survived on a diet of hardtack (a type of dry biscuit), salted meats, and beer. Fresh food and water were scarce.
Fun Fact: The beer served on the Mayflower wasn’t like the beer we know today. It was a weak beer known as “small beer” that was safer to drink than water because the brewing process killed off bacteria.
Disease and Death
The conditions on the Mayflower led to disease and death. Many passengers fell ill during the voyage, and by the time the ship reached the New World, forty-five of the 102 passengers had died.
Fun Fact: The first death on the Mayflower was a young servant named William Butten, who died just three days before they sighted land.
The Landing Spot Wasn’t What Was Planned
The Pilgrims had intended to settle near the mouth of the Hudson River, but due to rough seas and the approaching winter, they decided to stay where they had landed, which is now known as Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Fun Fact: The Pilgrims chose Plymouth as their settlement spot because it had a good harbor and fields that had already been cleared by Native Americans.
The First Winter Was Brutal
The first winter in the New World was harsh and deadly. The Pilgrims were not prepared for the cold and the snow, and many of them died from exposure, disease, and malnutrition.
Fun Fact: Only half of the Mayflower’s original passengers survived to see their first New England spring.
Native American Relations
The Pilgrims’ relationship with the Native Americans was complex and fraught with tension. While there were moments of cooperation and mutual assistance, there were also conflicts and misunderstandings.
Fun Fact: The Pilgrims’ first encounter with the Native Americans was an armed conflict known as the “First Encounter.”
The Mayflower Returns to England
While the Pilgrims began their new lives in the New World, the Mayflower itself didn’t stick around for long. The ship set sail for England on April 5, 1621, leaving the settlers behind to fend for themselves.
However, it’s important to note that the passengers didn’t immediately move to their new settlement upon arrival. They lived on the ship for several months, from November 1620 to late March 1621, enduring the harsh winter conditions while they built their homes on land. This meant that the Pilgrims had to survive not only the perilous journey across the Atlantic but also several additional months living on the ship in the New World.
Fun Fact: The Mayflower’s return journey to England was far quicker than its journey to the New World. It took just over a month, thanks to favorable spring winds.
The Fate of the Mayflower
After its famous voyage, the Mayflower continued to be used as a cargo ship for a few more years before it was likely dismantled for scrap lumber.
Fun Fact: Despite its place in history, no one knows for sure what happened to the Mayflower. There are no records of it after 1624.
The Mayflower II
In 1957, a replica of the Mayflower, known as the Mayflower II, was built and sailed from England to Plymouth, Massachusetts, to commemorate the original voyage.
Fun Fact: The Mayflower II was built in England using traditional methods and is now a popular tourist attraction in Plymouth.
The Legacy of the Mayflower
The Mayflower’s voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony are significant events in American history. They symbolize the courage, determination, and desire for religious freedom that characterized the early settlers.
Fun Fact: Descendants of the Mayflower’s passengers have formed a society known as the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. Some famous members include presidents John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and George Bush.
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This article was syndicated by Our Woven Journey. Featured Image Credit: Deposit Photos.