The pilgrims arrived late and off-course because of persistent ill winds which kept them at sea for a pretty long time. All on a very dinky boat with 100+ passengers and crew. And they were likely trying to sail against the Gulf Stream, which would have cut their speed substantially.
We crossed the Atlantic on a military transport in October, 1956. We encountered some bad weather. I remember looking out a port hole at the huge waves. My brother was seasick, but I was not. At some point I was a bit queasy so I ate an apple, and felt better … especially since my eating the apple had sent my brother fleeing for the head.
Since our ship was 6 times the length of the Mayflower and 3 times larger in the beam, and powered by engines, we made the crossing from England to New York City in less than 10 days.
The myth has the Pilgrims coming to America in search of religious freedom. Not the case at all! They had all the religious freedom they could have asked for in Holland (where they stayed briefly after deserting England), but they weren’t after freedom of choice. What they wanted was a top-down religious dictatorship of their very own.
The Separatists were as much political radicals as religious. They were top down, busybody statists and their descendants still control civic life in New England.
After hearing all the stories, it’s easy to get the idea that the Pilgrims had the Mayflower to themselves, when in fact they were little more than cargo. From there, it’s a very short step to recognizing just what a massive contrast there must have been, in about every way possible, between the Pilgrims and the actual sailors. It’s a fun image. At least if you tilt more toward sailor than Pilgrim. Which, %^@! yes, I believe I probably do.
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member over 6 years ago
The pilgrims arrived late and off-course because of persistent ill winds which kept them at sea for a pretty long time. All on a very dinky boat with 100+ passengers and crew. And they were likely trying to sail against the Gulf Stream, which would have cut their speed substantially.
We crossed the Atlantic on a military transport in October, 1956. We encountered some bad weather. I remember looking out a port hole at the huge waves. My brother was seasick, but I was not. At some point I was a bit queasy so I ate an apple, and felt better … especially since my eating the apple had sent my brother fleeing for the head.
Since our ship was 6 times the length of the Mayflower and 3 times larger in the beam, and powered by engines, we made the crossing from England to New York City in less than 10 days.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Admiral_Hugh_Rodman_(AP-126)
docforbin over 6 years ago
Those “Separatists” are better known today as the Congregationalist Church.
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 6 years ago
The myth has the Pilgrims coming to America in search of religious freedom. Not the case at all! They had all the religious freedom they could have asked for in Holland (where they stayed briefly after deserting England), but they weren’t after freedom of choice. What they wanted was a top-down religious dictatorship of their very own.
blackash2004-tree Premium Member over 6 years ago
The Separatists were as much political radicals as religious. They were top down, busybody statists and their descendants still control civic life in New England.
Deborah deTreville Premium Member over 6 years ago
And the first Thanksgiving was NOT held in New England.
T Smith over 6 years ago
And we still suffer with their perverse attitudes toward sexuality and the human body.
Nick Danger over 6 years ago
Pilgrim – “a person who travels to a holy place as a religious act” – for Caulfield not to know that but to know the “puke stocking” tale – no.
sandpiper over 6 years ago
The term pilgrim is from the anglo-french from the Late Latin word for ‘stranger’ First used in 1200’s. Thank you Merriam Webster Dictionary
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 6 years ago
Frazz
16 hrs ·
After hearing all the stories, it’s easy to get the idea that the Pilgrims had the Mayflower to themselves, when in fact they were little more than cargo. From there, it’s a very short step to recognizing just what a massive contrast there must have been, in about every way possible, between the Pilgrims and the actual sailors. It’s a fun image. At least if you tilt more toward sailor than Pilgrim. Which, %^@! yes, I believe I probably do.
Teto85 Premium Member over 6 years ago
My people just called them Invaders.