The Unfortunately Named Speedwell Was Neither Speedy Nor Well
The Pilgrims’ intended journey to the New World was beset by many delays. They had planned to sail from England in July of 1620. However, most of the people who planned to make the voyage lived in Leiden, Holland, at the time. So the plan was for a sister ship, the Speedwell, to sail from England to the Netherlands, pick up the passengers, return to Southampton, join the Mayflower, and then the two ships would sail together in convoy to Virginia. The Mayflower and the Speedwell sailed from England to the New World on August 5th, 1620. However, the Mayflower’s sister ship proved unfortunately named, in that she was neither speedy nor well.
The Speedwell began to leak, so the Pilgrims docked in Dartmouth for repairs. They set out again on August 21st, but after a few days at sea, the Speedwell began to leak once again. The voyage’s leaders came to the conclusion that the Speedwell was simply not up to the task of crossing the Atlantic. So they decided to leave her in England, and continue to the New World on the Mayflower. After supplies were transferred from the Speedwell, the Mayflower finally set out on September 6th — over a month behind schedule. It would prove to be an arduous voyage.