I am particularly interested in this subject.  30 Sept 1617, James Knott was 
reprieved to be conveyed over the seas according to Vol 35, page 336 of 
Dasent's Acts of the Privy Council of England.  The first voyage of 
the George began in mid-April and 21 April 1617, they lost sight of
England.  Captain Samuel Argall, the newly appointed Governor of Virginia, 
was on board.  He arrived in Point Comfort, Virginia, 25 May.  
[Brown, The First Republic of America, 249-50 & 253.]

    The  George was back in England in September 1617 preparing to return
as a magazine ship. A second license was issued 2 Oct 1617 for export of 
goods to Virginia.  This was issued for the George of London.  William Eyne 
was the master.  [PRO Class E 190/21/2.] 

    The George's return trip began after 8 Oct 1617. On that date Thomas Mattedy
was bound an apprentice by indenture to Samuel Jourdan. Thomas Mattedy
arrived on the George in 1617.  [Cavaliers & Pioneers, I:226] This was the 
voyage that brought James Knott to Virginia.  John Smith's General History
(the part for 1617) has that "this year" the George arrived after a five month passage.

In Susan Myra Kingsbury, ed., Records of the Virginia Company of London, III:78, there is
a Memoranda from Governor Argall.  It is dated 1617/18.  Upon a study of this Memoranda,
a conclusion may be drawn that he is writing in response to the voyage of the George 
which arrived sometime in March 1617/18.

Governor Argall entitled his Memoranda "Certain Reasons touching the most convenient 
times and Seasons of the year for the Magazine Ship to Set forth for England towards Virginia. 

1.  To come out in June 7 be here in Sept......
2.  Weather after Sept so unconstant that goods can't be landed without hazard or damage.
6.  If the Ship "dont" come before March...we cant afford time to attend Magazine.
8.  If yo' Ships return after April ye heat of ye hold will hurt ye Toba.

The entire 10 points show that the Governor was a bit upset regarding the late arrival of the
George, the magazine ship.

More information of this five month voyage  is needed.  Surely, they landed somewhere for a
time.

Cary Anderson
Retired International Educator
P.O. Box 685
Decatur, AR 72722
479-752-8174
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "M. Flanagan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, May 27, 2002 9:24 AM
Subject: Re: 17th Century Atlantic Crossings


> In a letter from John Pory (then in James City) to Sir Edwin Sandys dated
> June 12, 1620, Pory wrote:
> "A speedy voyage is particulalrly important for the health of the people.
> They consider Mr. Elford, pilot of 'The Swan', has found the best passage by
> way of the Sommer Islands; the other voyages by way of the West Indies and
> by the North are too long."
> 
> I believe the Sommer Islands are what became Bermuda.
> 
> Does anyone have info re: the length of time for voyages from England to
> Virginia? I would think that 2-4 months would be typical.
> 
> Is it known what these routes were? The Northerly passage I take to be
> essentially the same as Leif Erickson's route along the Canadian coastline,
> and I think the West Indies route meant down the European coastline to
> Saharan West Africa, and then due west. Can someone offer something more
> specific about 17th century nautical routes and approximate transit times
> for each?
> 
> Thanx!
> Michael
> 
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