September 6, 1620. The Mayflower leaves England for North America. The ship's master, Christopher Jones, is an experienced skipper. But the two-month journey will not be a smooth one.

A crew of dirty men work the decks, adjusting the sails...


"Heave the mizzen halyard"


"Loose the forecourse sheets!"

..While below deck the Pilgrims rarely get a breath of fresh air, except to empty their chamber pots.

Halfway to the New World, a violent autumn storm strikes. The ship begins to leak, and the main beam cracks. A passenger is thrown overboard, but catches a rope and is rescued.

On the verge of turning back, the crew repairs the beam with a lage iron screw the Pilgrims have brought from Holland. Leaks are plugged with caulk and a mallet.

The storm passes, but the ship has been blown off course. She is now far north of Virginia, where the Pilgrims intend to settle.

They land at Cape Cod, Massachussets on November 11, after 65 days at sea. By December they will make their way to Plimoth, their new home, as winter sets in.