THE MAY-FLOWER AND HER LOG

July 15, 1620--May 6, 1621 Chiefly from Original Sources

By AZEL AMES, M.D. Member of Pilgrim Society, etc.

BOOK 6.

CHAPTER IX

THE JOURNAL OF THE SHIP MAY-FLOWER

Thomas Jones, Master, from London, England, towards "Hudson's River" in Virginia

[The voyage of the MAY-FLOWER began at London, as her consort's did at Delfshaven, and though, as incident to the tatter's brief career, we have been obliged to take note of some of the happenings to the larger ship and her company (at Southampton, etc.), out of due course and time, they have been recited only because of their insuperable relation to the consort and her company, and not as part of the MAY-FLOWER'S own proper record]

SATURDAY, July 15/25, 1620 Gravesend. Finished lading. Got passengers aboard and got under way for Southampton. Dropped down the Thames to Gravesend with the tide.

[Vessels leaving the port of London always, in that day, "dropped down with the tide," tug-boats being unknown, and sail-headway against the tide being difficult in the narrow river.]

Masters Cushman and Martin, agents of the chartering--party, came aboard at London.

SUNDAY, July 16/26 Gravesend. Channel pilot aboard. Favoring wind.

MONDAY, July 17/27 In Channel. Course D.W. by W. Favoring wind.

TUESDAY, July 18/28 In Channel. Southampton Water.

WEDNESDAY, July 19/29 Southampton Water. Arrived at Southampton and came to anchor.

[Both ships undoubtedly lay at anchor a day or two, before hauling in to the quay. The MAY-FLOWER undoubtedly lay at anchor until after the SPEEDWELL arrived, to save expense]

THURSDAY, July 20/30 Lying at Southampton off north end of "West Quay."

FRIDAY, July 21/31 Lying at Southampton. Masters Carver, Cushman, and Martin, three of the agents here. Outfitting ship, taking in lading, and getting ready for sea.

SATURDAY, July 22/Aug 1 Lying off Quay, Southampton.

SUNDAY, July 23/Aug 2 Lying off Quay, Southampton.

MONDAY, July 24/Aug 3 Lying off Quay, Southampton.

TUESDAY, July 25/Aug 4 Lying off Quay, Southampton. Waiting for consort to arrive from Holland.

WEDNESDAY, July 26/Aug 5 Lying off Quay, Southampton. Pinnace SPEEDWELL, 60 tons, Reynolds, Master, from Delfshaven, July 22, consort to this ship, arrived in harbor, having on board some 70 passengers and lading for Virginia. She came to anchor off north end "West Quay."

THURSDAY, July 27/Aug. 6 Lying at Quay, Southampton, SPEEDWELL warped to berth at Quay near the ship, to transfer lading.

[Some of the cargo of the SPEEDWELL is understood to have been here transferred to the larger ship; doubtless the cheese, "Hollands," and other provisions, ordered, as noted, by Cushman]

FRIDAY, July 28/Aug. 7 Lying at Quay, Southampton, Much parleying and discontent among the passengers.