by William Bradford
After they had enjoyed fair winds and weather for a season, they were encountered many times with cross winds and met with many fierce storms with which the ship was soundly shaken, and her upper works made very leaky; and one of the main beams in the mid-ship was bowed and cracked, which put them in some fear that the ship could not be able to perform the voyage. So some of the chief of the company, perceiving the mariners to fear the insufficiency of the ship as appeared by their mutterings, they entered into serious consultation with the master and other officers of the ship, to consider in time of the danger, and rather to return than to cast themselves into a desperate and inevitable peril. And truly there was great distraction and difference of opinion amongst the mariners themselves; fain would they do what could be done for their wages’ sake (being now near half the seas over) and on the other hand they were loath to hazard their lives too desperately. But in examining of all opinions, the master and others affirmed they knew the ship to be strong and firm under water; and for the buckling of the main beam, there was a great iron screw the passengers brought out of Holland, which would raise the beam into his place; the which being done, the carpenter and master affirmed that with a post put under it, set firm in the lower deck and otherwise bound, he would make it sufficient. And as for the decks and upper works, they would caulk them as well as they could, and though with the working of the ship they would not long keep staunch, yet there would otherwise be no great danger, if they did not over-press her with sails. So they committed themselves to the will of God and resolved to proceed.
Reflection:
I chose this passage because I felt that it over exaggerated the fact that even though most people view the American immigrants that traveled over there first as evil because they took land from the Native Americans, they were victims attempting to flee from religious persecution. I liked the fact that this passage offered a viewpoint that has always been overlooked. When reading this, i gained a new viewpoint and respect for those immigrants who deserted their homeland because they feared the American Immigrants.
Dear Diary,
During school hours my teacher made me read this because many people are making the decision to immigrate. The entire story was quite frightening. Throughout it I found this to be the worst part. Ships have always seemed quite scary to me to travel in for long distances. Thankfully, our family will be on the best ship that my father can find. He is the kind of man that will not share his fears with me or my mother. For those days ahead that are to come, i dread the rocking ship on those waves. I shall try and keep myself occupied so that I will not think about it much.But i wish their were a way to ensure we would avoid storms, anything but storms. My mother says the only thing we can do is pray that our journey will be safe.
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