A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 2

munday 10:

10 May 1630

Thursday 13.

13 May 1630
Teusday 11.
Winthrop, John

1630-05-11

The storme continued all this daye till 3: in the afternoone; and the sea went verye highe, so as our shippe could make no waye, beinge able to beare no more but our mainsayl about midmast high: at 3: there fell May a great showre of rayne, which layed the winde. and the winde shiftinge into the w: we tacked, and stood into the head sea, to avoyde the roulinge of our shippe, and by that meanes we made no waye, the Sea beatinge vs backe as muche as the winde putt vs forwarde. we had still could weather, and our people were so acquainted with stormes, as they were not sick nor troubled, thoughe we were muche tossed 48: howers together, viz: 24: duringe the storme, and as longe the next night and daye followinge when Wensday 12as we laye as it were a at Hull, for want of winde, and roulinge continually in a highe growne sea.1 This daye was close and raynye.

Complaint was made to our Capt of some iniurye that one of the vnder officers of the shippe had doone to one of our landmen he called him, and examined the Cause, and Comanded him to be tyed vp by the handes, and a weight to be hanged about his necke, but at the intercession of the Governor (with some difficulty) he remitted his punishment.

At night the winde blewe at S: E: a handsome gale with rayne so we putt forthe our sayles and stood w: and by S:

1.

A ship was said to “lie a hull” when all the sails were taken in, in calm weather. See Albert Matthews, “The Naming of Hull,” New England Historical and Genealogical Register, LIX. 179, note.