Speedwell (1577 ship)

Speedwell

Speedwell departing Delftshaven by Adam Willaerts c. 1620
History
Name	Swiftsure (1577–1605) Speedwell (1605–)
Namesake	Veronica sp. (speedwell)
Launched	1577
General characteristics
Tonnage	60 tons

Speedwell was a 60-ton pinnace that carried a band of English Dissenters now popularly called the Pilgrims from Leiden, Holland, to England, whence they intended to sail to America aboard both the Speedwell and the Mayflower in 1620. The Pilgrims initially set sail in both ships, but Speedwell was found to be unseaworthy and both ships returned to England. The Pilgrims later left Speedwell behind and sailed in the Mayflower alone.