The Speedwell-- Part 4: A Veteran of the War Against Spain and the Spanish Armada

From Wikipedia.

The Speedwell was a 60 ton pinnace that was, along with the Mayflower, supposed to transport the Pilgrims to America.  A vessel of the same name and size had traveled to America 17 years before the Pilgrims as the flagship of the first expedition of Martin Pring.

It was built in 1577, under the name Swiftsure, as part of English preparations for war with Spain and participated in the fight against the Spanish Armada.  During the Earl of Essex's 1596 Azores expedition and served as the ship of his second in command, Sir Gelli Meyrick.  After the war with Spain ended, she was decommissioned in 1605, and renamed the Speedwell.

Captain Blossom, a Leiden, Netherlands Separatist, bought the Speedwell in July 1620.  They then sailed to Southampton under the command of a Captain Reynolds.  There, they met a second ship named the Mayflower,  which had been chartered by merchant investors (again, Captain Blossom).

The Speedwell was already leaking badly at this time.

The two ships lay at anchor in Southampton for almost two weeks while the Speedwell was being repaired.   The group had to sell some of their supplies and food to cover costs and port fees.

--Cooter