<P> Aboard the Mayflower were many stores that supplied the pilgrims with the essentials needed for their journey and future lives . It is assumed that they carried tools and weapons, including cannon, shot, and gunpowder, as well as some live animals, including dogs, sheep, goats, and poultry . Horses and cattle came later . The Mayflower also carried two boats: a long boat and a "shallop", a 21 - foot boat powered by oars or sails . She also carried 12 artillery pieces (eight minions and four sakers), as the Pilgrims feared that they might need to defend themselves against enemy European forces, as well as the natives . </P> <P> The passage was a miserable one, with huge waves constantly crashing against the ship's topside deck until a key structural support timber fractured . The passengers had already suffered agonizing delays, shortages of food, and other shortages, and were now called upon to provide assistance to the ship's carpenter in repairing the fractured main support beam . This was repaired with the use of a metal mechanical device called a jackscrew, which had been loaded on board to help in the construction of settler homes . It was now used to secure the beam to keep it from cracking further, making the ship seaworthy enough . </P> <P> The crew of the Mayflower had some devices to assist them en route, such as a compass for navigation, as well as a log and line system to measure speed in nautical miles per hour (knots). Time was measured with the ancient method of an hour glass . </P> <P> There were two deaths, but this was only a precursor of what happened after their arrival on Cape Cod . </P>

The pilgrims ship first reaches land in america