Struggle to Survive

It was fall of 1620. Violent waves tossed the Mayflower on the stormy North Atlantic Ocean. The ship’s passengers, now known as the Pilgrims, shook with worry and fear. They were on their way from England to set up a new colony in North America. But would they make it?

“They didn’t know what they were going to encounter,” says author Nathaniel Philbrick.

It was fall of 1620. Violent waves tossed the Mayflower on the stormy North Atlantic Ocean. The ship’s passengers, now known as the Pilgrims, shook with worry and fear. They were on their way from England to set up a new colony in North America. But would they make it?

“They didn’t know what they were going to encounter,” says author Nathaniel Philbrick.

The Pilgrims were made up of two groups. The Separatists sought religious freedom. The others were adventurers looking to start a new life. Their journey would be one for the history books— and one that almost ended in disaster.

The original plan was to take two ships, the Mayflower and the Speedwell. The travelers hoped to arrive in North America while the weather was still warm.

The ships set sail in August but turned back when the Speedwell sprang a leak. That left the Pilgrims with one ship and a big delay. They finally set sail on September 6, 1620.

The 102 passengers, including nearly 30 kids, crammed together below deck. But the Mayflower was built for cargo, not people. The ceilings were so low that most couldn’t stand. Many people slept on damp, straw-filled mattresses. Some got seasick.

As the weeks dragged on, food and water ran low. During the 3,200-mile voyage, two people died. On November 11, after two terrible months at sea, the ship arrived at Cape Cod in what is now Massachusetts.

The Pilgrims were made up of two groups. The Separatists sought religious freedom. The others were looking to start a new life. Their journey would be one for the history books. It almost ended in disaster.

The original plan was to take two ships, the Mayflower and the Speedwell. The travelers hoped to arrive in North America while the weather was warm.

The ships set sail in August. But they turned back when the Speedwell sprang a leak. That left the Pilgrims with one ship and a big delay. They finally set sail on September 6, 1620.

There were 102 passengers, including nearly 30 kids. They crammed together below deck. But the Mayflower was built for cargo, not people. The ceilings were so low that most couldn’t stand. Many people slept on damp, straw-filled mattresses. Some got seasick.

As the weeks dragged on, food and water ran low. During the 3,200-mile voyage, two people died. It was a terrible two months at sea. On November 11, the ship arrived at Cape Cod in what is now Massachusetts.

In the bitter cold, a small group set off from the ship to search for a place to settle.

“It was just about the worst time to arrive,” Philbrick says. 

A few weeks later, they found a spot to build their colony. The area was part of the homeland of a Native American nation called the Wampanoag (WAHM-pah-nawg). It is now known as Plymouth.

By then, it was too late to plant crops. With little food, the Pilgrims became malnourished. Months went by as they struggled to build homes. They were exposed to freezing weather and disease. Only about half of the Pilgrims made it through the first year.

In the bitter cold, a small group set off from the ship to search for a place to settle.

“It was just about the worst time to arrive,” Philbrick says. 

A few weeks later, they found a spot to build their colony. The area was part of the homeland of a Native American nation called the Wampanoag (WAHM-pah-nawg). It is now known as Plymouth.

By then, it was too late to plant crops. With little food, the Pilgrims became malnourished. Months went by as they struggled to build homes.

They were exposed to freezing weather and disease. Only about half of the Pilgrims made it through the first year.

The Pilgrims needed help— and the Wampanoag came to their rescue. As the Pilgrims’ allies, they taught them how to grow corn and, more importantly, how to survive.

In the fall of 1621, both groups celebrated with a feast, which some consider the first Thanksgiving. It marked the Pilgrims’ first successful harvest—and became one of the most famous events in American history.

The Pilgrims needed help. The Wampanoag came to their rescue. As the Pilgrims’ allies, they taught them how to grow corn. More important, they taught them how to survive.

In the fall of 1621, both groups celebrated with a feast. Some consider it the first Thanksgiving. It marked the Pilgrims’ first harvest. And it became one of the most famous events in American history.