<P> Initially the trip went smoothly, but under way they were met with strong winds and storms . One of these caused a main beam to crack, and the possibility was considered of turning back, even though they were more than halfway to their destination . However, they repaired the ship sufficiently to continue using a "great iron screw" brought along by the colonists (probably a jack to be used for either house construction or a cider press). Passenger John Howland was washed overboard in the storm but caught a top - sail halyard trailing in the water and was pulled back on board . </P> <P> One crew member and one passenger died before they reached land . A child was born at sea and named Oceanus . </P> <P> Land was sighted on November 9, 1620 . The passengers had endured miserable conditions for about sixty - five days, and they were led by William Brewster in Psalm 100 as a prayer of thanksgiving . It was confirmed that the area was Cape Cod, within the New England territory recommended by Weston . An attempt was made to sail the ship around the cape towards the Hudson River, also within the New England grant area, but they encountered shoals and difficult currents around Cape Malabar (the old French name for present - day Monomoy). It was decided to turn around, and by November 11 / November 12 the ship was anchored in what is today known as Provincetown Harbor . </P> <P> The charter was incomplete for the Plymouth Council for New England when the colonists departed England (it was granted while they were in transit on November 3 / November 13). They arrived without a patent; the older Wincob patent was from their abandoned dealings with the London Company . Some of the passengers, aware of the situation, suggested that they were free to do as they chose upon landing, without a patent in place, and to ignore the contract with the investors . </P>

When did the pilgrims arrive in cape cod