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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