Sailing of the Pilgrims

This is John Daly on the deck of the Mayflower at Plymouth Harbor, England. High tide and sailing time is here this sixth day of September 1620. But this tragic ship with its company of 102 desperate frightened hounded souls who are displacing their persons from the old world to the new has not yet sailed.

These pilgrims, these refugees for religious freedom and civil rights, are still tied to Europe by a gaudier knot of heartbreaking difficulties. And unless these outlaws from the Church of England can cut that knot before the air-tied sinks them deeper into danger, the Mayflower may never sail at all for the colony of Northern Virginia,

recently renamed New England. The afternoon sun is throwing shadows of bloom on the town of Plymouth behind me. Plymouth Harbor, England, September 6, 1620. You are there. The exodus of the pilgrims, out of the noose of oppression and persecution, into the arms of an angry sea and a desolate winter continent.

CBS takes you back to a little known but faithful moment in American history. All things are as they were then, except for one thing. You are there. You are there, is based on authentic historical facts and quotations.

And now, Plymouth Harbor, England, September 6th, 1620, the deck of the Mayflower and John Daley, voice to the new world and to freedom. Twice they have been delayed for repairs to their sister ship, the Speedwell, which has finally been withdrawn, crowding all into the Mayflower.

And now at last they must sail with this tide. For today the weather is good. Tomorrow or the day after, it may be bad enough to prevent their sailing at all, for winter is close upon them.