Part 21 (1/2)
SUNDAY, Dec. 3/13 At anchor in Cape Cod harbor. The fourth Sunday here. Scarce any of those aboard free from vehement coughs, some very ill.
Weather very variable.
MONDAY, Dec. 4/14 At anchor in Cape Cod harbor. Carpenter completing repairs on shallop. Much discussion of plans for settlement. The Master urging that the Planters should explore with their shallop at some distance, declining in such season to stir from the present anchorage till a safe harbor is discovered by them where they would be and he might go without danger.
This day died Edward Thompson, a servant of Master William White, the first to die aboard the s.h.i.+p since she anch.o.r.ed in the harbor. Burying-party sent ash.o.r.e after services to bury him.
TUESDAY, Dec. 5/15 At anchor in harbor. Francis Billington, a young son of one of the pa.s.sengers, put the s.h.i.+p and all in great jeopardy, by shooting off a fowling-piece in his father's cabin between decks where there was a small barrel of powder open, and many people about the fire close by. None hurt.
Weather cold and foul.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 6/16 At anchor in harbor. Very cold, bad weather. This day died Jasper More, a lad bound to Governor Carver. The second death in the harbor. The third exploring party got away from the s.h.i.+p in the afternoon in the shallop, intent on finding a harbor recommended by the second mate, Robert Coppin, who had visited it. Captain Standish in command, with whom were Governor Carver, Masters Bradford, Winslow, John Tilley and Edward Tilley, Warren and Hopkins, John Howland, Edward Dotey, and two of the colonists' seamen, Alderton and English, and of the s.h.i.+p's company, the mates Clarke and Coppin, the master-gunner and three sailors, eighteen in all. The shallop was a long time getting clear of the point, having to row, but at last got up her sails and out of the harbor. Sent burying-party ash.o.r.e with body of little More boy, after services aboard.
THURSDAY, Dec. 7/17 At anchor in Cape Cod harbor. This day Mistress Dorothy Bradford, wife of Master Bradford, who is away with the exploring party to the westward, fell over board and was drowned.
FRIDAY, Dec. 8/18 At anchor in harbor. A strong south-east gale with heavy rain, turning to snow and growing cold toward night, as it cleared.
This day Master James Chilton died aboard the s.h.i.+p. The third pa.s.senger, and first head of a family; to die in this harbor.
SAt.u.r.dAY, Dec. 9/19 At anchor in harbor. Burying-party sent ash.o.r.e after services aboard, to bury Chilton. Fetched wood and water.
[The death of Chilton was the first of the head of a family, and it may readily be imagined that the burial was an especially affecting scene, especially as following so closely upon the tragic death of Mrs. Bradford (for whom no funeral or burial arrangements are mentioned?? D.W.)]
SUNDAY, Dec. 10/20 At anchor in Cape Cod harbor. The fifth Sunday in this harbor. The exploring party still absent. Four deaths one by drowning; very severe weather; the s.h.i.+p's narrow escape from being blown up; and the absence of so many of the princ.i.p.al men, have made it a hard, gloomy week.
MONDAY, Dec. 11/21 At anchor in harbor. Clear weather.
TUESDAY, Dec. 12/22 At anchor in harbor. Exploration party still absent.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13/23 At anchor in harbor. Exploration party returned to s.h.i.+p, where much sad intelligence met them (especially Master Bradford), as to his wife's drowning. The exploring party report finding a considerable Indian burying-place; several Indian houses; a fierce attack on them by Indians on Friday morning, but without harm; a severe gale on the same afternoon, in which their rudder-hinges broke, their mast was split in three pieces, their sail fell over board in a heavy sea, and they were like to have been cast away in making a harbor which Master Coppin thought he knew, but was deceived about. They landed on an island at the mouth of the harbor, which they named for Master Clarke, the first mate, and spent Sat.u.r.day and Sunday there, and on Monday examined the harbor they found, and are agreed that it is the place for settlement. Much satisfaction with the report among the colonists.
THURSDAY, Dec. 14/24 At anchor, Cape Cod harbor. The colonists have determined to make settlement at the harbor they visited, and which is apparently, by Captain John Smith's chart of 1616, no other than the place he calls ”Plimoth” thereon. Fetched wood and water.
FRIDAY, Dec. 15/25 Weighed anchor to go to the place the exploring party discovered. Course west, after leaving harbor. Shallop in company.
Coming within two leagues, the wind coming northwest, could not fetch the harbor, and was faine to put round again towards Cape Cod. Made old anchorage at night. The thirty-fifth night have lain at anchor here. Shallop returned with s.h.i.+p.
SAt.u.r.dAY, Dec. 16/26 Comes in with fair wind for Plymouth.
Weighed anchor and put to sea again and made harbor safely. Shallop in company. Within half an hour of anchoring the wind changed, so if letted [hindered] but a little had gone back to Cape Cod. A fine harbor.
Let go anchors just within a long spur of beach a mile or more from sh.o.r.e. The end of the outward voyage; one hundred and two days from Plymouth (England to Plymouth New England). One hundred and fifty-five days from London.
THE s.h.i.+PS JOURNAL WHILE SHE LAY IN PLYMOUTH HARBOR
SUNDAY, Dec. 17/27 At anchor in Plymouth harbor. Services on s.h.i.+p. This harbor is a bay greater than Cape Cod, compa.s.sed with goodly land. It is in fas.h.i.+on like a sickle or fish-hook.
MONDAY, Dec. 18/28 At anchor, Plymouth harbor: The Master of the s.h.i.+p, with three or four of the sailors and several of the Planters, went aland and marched along the coast several miles.
Made careful examination of locality. Found many brooks of fine water, abundant wood, etc. The party came aboard at night weary with marching.
TUESDAY, Dec. 19/29 At anchor, Plymouth harbor. A party from the s.h.i.+p went ash.o.r.e to discover, some going by land and some keeping to the shallop. A creek was found leading up within the land and followed up three English miles, a very pleasant river at full sea. It was given the name of ”Jones River” in compliment to the Master of the s.h.i.+p. A bark of thirty tons may go up at high tide, but the shallop could scarcely pa.s.s at low water. All came aboard at night with resolution to fix, to-morrow, which of the several places examined they would settle upon.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20/30 At anchor, Plymouth harbor, many ill. Dec.
After service the colonists decided to go ash.o.r.e this morning and determine upon one of two places which were thought most fitting for their habitation. So a considerable party went ash.o.r.e and left twenty of their number there to make a rendezvous, the rest coming on board at night. They reported that they had chosen by the most voices the site first looked at by the largest brook, near where they landed on the 11th on a large rock [Plymouth Rock].