The Other Pilgrim Ship, the Speedwell-- Part 2: 'Leakie As a Sieve' and Likely to 'Sunke Right Downe"

The group from Leiden, Netherlands, the Pilgrims,  remained apart from the others, staying on the smaller of the two ships, the Speedwell.

Finally, on August 5, 1820, the two ships left Southampton to cross the Atlantic and find their colony.  The Speedwell followed in the Mayflower's wake.

It didn't take long for everyone to realize that the Speedwell was not up to the task before it.  The ship proved to be as "leakie as a sieve."  The captains of the two ships conferred and decided it best for the ships to set in for repairs at Dartmouth, England, just 75 miles from where they had started.

Robert Cushman, on board the Speedwell declared that if the ship had "stayed at sea but three or four hours more, she would have sunke right downe."

Work on the Speedwell began as the travelers fretted over the loss of time.  By August 17, the repairs were finished, but winds kept the two ships at Dartmouth.  There was fear that already too much of the food taken along to get them to their destination had already been eaten.

Finally, they were able to sail, but after just a short time, the Speedwell began leaking badly again.  The ships returned to Plymouth and it was decided to abandon the Speedwell.

Many of the Speedwell's colonists were put aboard the Mayflower, exasperating already crowded conditions.

So Much for the Speedwell.  --CootWell