Very interesting and informative. While I was aware that the trans-Atlantic voyage took from 4 weeks under the best of conditions to as many as 10 (and even more, should the ship end up in the Sargasso Sea - the "Bermuda High") , I had not seen any estimate of average speeds of such ships. Thanks a lot Paul -******** Dear American Historians-- Delighted you are interested in such. Horse travel depended on the weather. For example, in snow, the snow balled up in clods under the horse's feet and had to be removed frequently. Mud was a real problem in the rain or shortly thereafter. Roads were scarce and became what is known as stagecoach roads on which most traveled. The Mayflower crossing the Atlantic traveled at about 2 miles per hour. See my article concerning this at _http://www.sail1620.org/discover_feature_the_mayflower_at_sea_1620.shtml_ (http://www.sail1620.org/discover_feature_the_mayflower_at_sea_1620.shtml) The Mayflower in the riptide and shallows off Monomoy Point, Cape Cod Painting by Mike Haywood Article by Edgar Sherman "The distance from the departure point in Southampton, England to Boston, MA, is 3236 statute miles (equal to 2812 nautical miles). The entire sea journey for the Pilgrims took 66 days. There are 1584 hours in 66 days. The ship, therefore traveled at a speed of 2 miles an hour. An average person can walk 4 miles an hour. Distance at sea is designated in nautical miles. One nautical mile is approximately 1 1/2 statute miles. Sea speed is designated in knots. One knot equals 1 nautical mile per hour. Using sea terms, the average speed of the Mayflower, traveling across the cold, wet Atlantic, was 1.77 knots." Kind regards, Edgar Sherman of Brewster, Cooke and Warren No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.17.4/1187 - Release Date: 12/16/2007 11:36 AM To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html