The Mayflower Story

The Mayflower Story — page 5 — An artist depicted some of the people from the Mayflower heading to shore in the New World It would have been a thrilling and nerve tracking experience Late to the Party The Mayflower was not the first European ship to reach New England European fishing boats had been sailing the waters off New England for centuries even before Christopher Columbus arrived in the New World in 1492 The Basques a people from northwestern Spain and part of France were renowned for their great hauls of cod Some people in Massachusetts believe a rumor that the Mayflower may have been a latecomer to their shores well behind the arrival of people from elsewhere in Europe The theory was eagerly taken up by the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and other prominent citizens of Boston Massachusetts in the 1800s For this reason Boston has a monument to Leif Ericsson a Viking explorer looking out over Commonwealth Avenue According to the monument Ericsson may have built a settlement in the area six centuries before the Pilgrims arrived Historians do not give the idea much attention because no physical or archival evidence has been found to support it a settlement on land for which they had no charter were not in their plan They wished to continue the journey to the region they had legally been approved to settle With land in sight they could surely hunt game or catch fish for food if needed and find fresh water during their journey south to the mouth of the Hudson River The crew of the Mayflower saw things differently They did not look kindly on the chore of ferrying emigrants to the New World The Pilgrims had baggage and equipment that claimed the space below decks and prevented the crew from storing and trading their own goods The sailors had a long winter ahead and would need to safeguard the provisions they had Whether the Pilgrims stayed in New England or Virginia did not matter to the sailors who did not relish any further

The Mayflower Story — page 6

The Mayflower Story — page 7 — L A historical marker and small monument mark Plymouth Rock the alleged location of the Pilgrims first landing in the New World sailing along the coast Instead they would remain safely aboard their ship until Jones gave the order to raise sail and return to England Even before setting a single foot on land the Pilgrims were roiled in argument Most had staked everything they owned on the Plymouth Company The voyage was a business venture and a religious pilgrimage And the Pilgrims had agreed to give all profits made for seven years to the company Failure would probably ruin the Pilgrims financially But Jones had made his decision Before any settlement could take place the settlers would have to scout the land They needed to find fresh water and a safe sheltered harbor They needed suitable planting ground and fertile soil They also had to prepare for an encounter with the native inhabitants wherever they might be The day of their arrival was a Saturday Sunday was a day for rest and prayer Even after their long sea voyage the passengers remained aboard the Mayflower On Monday November 13 Jones several passengers and crew members climbed into a lighter smaller boat used for shore parties They raised the boat's lone sail began to row and headed for shore uncertain of what they might find

The Mayflower Story — page 8

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