The Speedwell Saga

"We're gonna need a bigger boat." - Roy Scheider (Jaws)

The reformation period in Europe led to huge and fundamental changes in thinking. Far beyond it's religious beginnings and into arts, cultural identities, new worlds, new thinking and new money. Arguably, one of the single most decisive turning points in world history is the migration and colonization by European settlers in new world countries, and the opportunities to be found as the globe got smaller, and trade became king.

It was in 1577, that the Dutch were commissioned by Queen Elizabeth's growing naval defenses, to construct the Speedwell. She was originally called the Swiftsure, a 60-ton ship, nimble enough to be maneuvered easily in battle against the Spanish Armada, in which it participated in the fight against. During the 1596 Azores expedition under the Earl of Essex, she served as the ship of his second in command, Sir Gilly Merick. Having escaped hostilities relatively un-harmed, she (like many other of the now less needed fleet) was decommissioned in 1605, rebuilt, and renamed. She was sold on as the Speedwell.

The Protestant Reformists of Holland were under a great deal of pressure from the Catholic Church. Duke Alba headed a hard line catholic arm of the Spanish Inquisition, and most protestants were looking to resettle in reform friendly countries like England. But even here, there was a sense of turmoil that threatened Europe and the English throne, and a general feeling of 'pastures new' beckoned the religious refugees to American shores.

With the backing of Merchant Investors (eager to see trade opportunities
realized in establishing colonial communities) Dutch Leiden Separatists bought the Speedwell in Holland, and boarded it at Delfshaven. They then sailed to Southampton, England to meet the Mayflower, which had also been chartered. It was the intention to have the two vessels carry the Pilgrim Fathers to North America, as a vessel of the same name and size had traveled to these shores seventeen years previously as the flagship of the first expedition of Martin Pring. Unfortunately, this Speedwell, was destined for a less illustrious name in history.

The two ships began the voyage on August 5, 1620, but the Speedwell was leaky and returned to Dartmouth to be refitted at great expense and time. On the second attempt, Mayflower and Speedwell sailed about 100 leagues beyond Land's End in Cornwall, but the Speedwell was again found to be leaky. Both vessels returned to Plymouth where the Speedwell was sold on.

In order to escape the year long commitment of their contract, the crew had resorted to sabotage. The ship had been been otherwise sound.

Eleven people from the Speedwell boarded the Mayflower, leaving 20 people to return to London while a combined company of 102 continued the voyage. For a third time, the Mayflower headed for the New World. She left Plymouth on September 6, 1620 and entered Cape Cod Harbor on November 11, 1620. The Fortune eventually followed, arriving at Plymouth Colony one year later on November 9, 1621.

As for the Speedwell, she continued as a working vessel and her history trail can be picked up in the Bermudas:

c1650's, William Browne of Salem in the county of Salem new England merchant and owner of the good shipp or Catch called the Speedwell of Salem of the Burthen of 20 tons or thereabouts. Sells the said ship to John Holwey of Bristol with all and singular her masts, sailes, sayleyards, ankers, cables, ropes, cordes, takles, apparrell, artillery, munitions. Boat skiffe and furniture whatsoever for the sum of seventy pounds current money- and for himself his heirs &c- the said ship against all men shall warrant and defend by these presents for one whole yeare and a day next ensueing the date hereof According to the Laws of Oleron. Perill of the Seas foer and enemyes excepted. John Holway in the like form Sells 2/3rds of her to John Stowe Sen'r of Bermuda for 96 pounds.
(reference: Memorials of the Bermudas by Lefroy: pg 718 Appendix V )

In 1656 the Speedwell made a voyage from England to Boston, carrying a party of Quakers including Christopher Holder and John Copeland. Arriving in Massachusetts Bay Colony under the Governorship of John Endecott, they were deported for religious reasons and obliged to return to Britain. In the following year another party, including six of the Speedwell company, returned via Rhode Island aboard the Woodhouse; one of which became a Boston martyr, judicially executed by Endecott.

At least two subsequent ships of the British Navy bore the same name, a ship of the line during the Napoleonic Wars and a modern nuclear submarine. Perhaps it's a good thing that the British Navy celebrated her in this way. History can appear very cruel, in hindsight. I think of the Speedwell as one of Britain's historical underdogs; not quite living in the limelight. Destined to be overshadowed by others who play the first fiddle in the orchestra of world events. However, she is there, none-the-less; Essex, Elizabeth, the Leiden, the Pilgrim fathers, and the Boston Martyrs, may all have needed a 'bigger boat', but I am glad that she haunts the wings of history. We need a good supporting cast to make the stars shine even brighter.

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