Across the Ocean

While the Spanish are busy extracting vast amounts of gold and silver from Mexico and South America, the English are searching for similar riches in North America. They choose two locations to try to establish permanent colonies.

The first successful settlement is established in Virginia, at Jamestown. Colonists arrive in three vessels, funded by a group of wealthy London merchants who are given a monopoly on the region by the King.

A dozen years later, another group of colonists takes a more northerly route. Less well financed, it only manages to get a single ship to Massachusetts. It's the tiny Mayflower, crammed with 100 eager but nervous settlers.
First English colonies, 1600s map

  Jamestown and Plymouth
A colony is a settlement located far from the country that owns it. The first English colony in America is established during the very early 1600s, in Virginia. It is not re-supplied for three years, and almost collapses. A second colony is established in Massachusetts, where half the settlers are devout Pilgrims, seeking to establish a new, more Godly community. Only half will survive.

Early struggles to survive, 1600s

  Adventurers and Pilgrims
The Jamestown colony starts off well enough, with settlers who expect to be able to trade with the Indians for the food they will need. The Indians quickly turn hostile, however, and delays in the first re-supply mission lead to the 'Great Starving Time.' The Pilgrims at Plymouth have a similarly rocky start, finally arriving at their landing during the first snow of winter. There is little time to set up shelters, and half die before the first re-supply ship arrives, with more settlers but few supplies.


Typical merchant vessel, 1600

  Stowage for the Journey
This shows the typical layout of merchant vessels like the Mayflower, which aren't intended to carry passengers at all, and certainly not women or children. The top deck is used by the crew to manage the sails, and by passengers whenever conditions permit. During bad weather, passengers are forced to remain below, on the severely cramped gun deck, and anywhere else with available space. Supplies, gear and building materials for homes are stowed in the hold, just above the keel.