Every autumn, thoughts often turn to the Pilgrims who sailed from Britain in 1620 to begin a new life in America. The story of the Mayflower is well known, but it can feel distant until you stand on the waterfront of Dartmouth, Devon. Here on the River Dart, a harbour long favoured by sailors, the past and present of seafaring life come together.
Today, Dartmouth is still a hub for sailors, with yachts and cruising boats moored along the River Dart, the same waters once busy with trading ships and ocean-going explorers.
Dartmouth: A Historic Sailing Port Town in Devon
Dartmouth is a charming historic town, set on the banks of the scenic River Dart and surrounded by rolling green hills. With its sheltered position near the open sea, it has been an important English port for almost 900 years. From here, sailors, traders, and explorers once set out across the oceans, connecting Dartmouth to stories of discovery, commerce, and the founding of America.
The Mayflower and the Speedwell in Dartmouth
In 1620, two sailing vessels, the square-rigged Mayflower and her smaller sister ship, the Speedwell, set out from England carrying passengers bound for a new life across the Atlantic. Soon after leaving Southampton, the Speedwell began to leak, forcing both ships to put into Dartmouth, Devon, where they sheltered at Bayards Cove on the River Dart for urgent repairs. At that time, Bayards Cove was the heart of Dartmouth’s busy working port.
Despite the repairs, the Speedwell continued to take on water after leaving Dartmouth. The ships reached Plymouth, where it was finally decided that the Speedwell was unseaworthy. Some passengers abandoned the voyage altogether, while others crowded onto the larger Mayflower. On 16 September 1620, the Mayflower departed Plymouth alone, beginning one of the most famous journeys in maritime history.
A Historic Atlantic Crossing Under Sail
The 90-foot square-rigged Mayflower battled heavy seas and Atlantic storms, her rigging straining and timbers creaking. Blown more than 500 miles off course, the ship was pushed north of its intended destination in Virginia. For sailors now, it is easy to picture the crew wrestling with heavy canvas and steering with only a compass and the stars, facing the same North Atlantic swells modern yachts still encounter today – though the Pilgrims endured it with none of the technology we now take for granted.
After 66 days at sea, the 102 weary voyagers finally sighted land. On 21 November 1620, they anchored at the tip of Cape Cod, in what is now Provincetown, Massachusetts. It was here that the settlers drew up the Mayflower Compact and went on to establish one of the first permanent European colonies in New England.
The Pilgrims Passage: Sailing into History and Today
The historic waterfront of Bayards Cove in Dartmouth still looks much as it did four centuries ago. Its Tudor houses, cobbled quay and riverside inns have changed little since the days of Henry VIII, making it easy to picture the Pilgrim Fathers preparing for their transatlantic voyage.
In 2020, Dartmouth joined towns across the UK and US in marking the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s passage. Today, yachts and visiting boats continue to tie up along the Dart, linking the town’s cruising community with centuries of seafaring tradition. For sailors and visitors alike, Dartmouth is more than a historic port — it is a living maritime destination where past and present meet on the tide.
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