After much negotiation the permission was granted from King
James and on August 5, 1620 two boatloads of Pilgrims left the docks of
Southhampton, England, on the Speedwell and a smaller vessel, the Mayflower.
The Speedwell sprang leaks requiring they dock at Dartmouth for repairs. They
again set sail but after only three miles they had to turn back for the
Speedwell had again ran into problems. Later it was discovered the captain of
the Speedwell had purposely sabotaged his vessel.

            After much
discussion, several families chose to stay in England, out fear of the unknown
and the hardships already realized. 102 boarded the Mayflower under the
leadership of Elder Brewster and John Carver. The Atlantic is an awful trip in
the fall months. The seas were rough and life in the Mayflower horribly
disgusting. God provided several miracles in the voyage changing the attitudes of
the sailors toward the Pilgrim from “these psalming pukestockings” to a
respectful honoring of those for whom God would do a miracle. November 9^th
land was spotted and the voyage ended in “Cape Cod.” The Cape was named by the local fishermen because they caught that kind of fish. The
Pilgrims fell to their knees and gave thanks for their safe passage across the
ocean.

            Realizing
they were several miles north of their intended destiny, driven so by the
storms, they made two attempts to move southward. However, storms would not
allow. They sent out thirty men to search the surrounding area for possible
harbor and location for establishing their colony. A second search party of ten
was sent out. In these searches, they located several fields of corn and beans
from which they took a great supply. They fully intended to pay the Indians
when they made contact with them. They had seen them on occasion but were
unable to establish contact. Six months later, they made that contact and paid
for the provisions.