<P> The two ships set sail for America around August 5, but the Speedwell sprang a leak shortly after, and the two ships were brought into Dartmouth for repairs . They made a new start after the repairs, and they were more than 200 miles (320 km) beyond Land's End at the southwestern tip of England when Speedwell sprang another leak . It was now early September, and they had no choice but to abandon the Speedwell and make a determination on her passengers . This was a dire event, as the ship had wasted vital funds and was considered very important to the future success of their settlement in America . Both ships returned to Plymouth, where some of the Speedwell passengers joined the Mayflower and others returned to Holland . The Mayflower then continued on her voyage to America, and the Speedwell was sold soon afterwards . </P> <P> Mayflower carried 102 passengers plus a crew of 25 to 30 officers and men, bringing the total to approximately 130 . According to William Bradford, Speedwell was refitted and "made many voyages...to the great profit of her owners ." Bradford later implied that the Speedwell's master used "cunning and deceit" to abort the voyage, possibly by causing leaks in the ship and motivated by a fear of starving to death in America . </P> <P> In early September, western gales began to make the North Atlantic a dangerous place for sailing . The Mayflower's provisions were already quite low when departing Southampton, and they became lower still by delays of more than a month . The passengers had been on board the ship for this entire time, and they were quite worn out and in no condition for a very taxing, lengthy Atlantic journey cooped up in cramped spaces in a small ship . But the Mayflower sailed from Plymouth on September 6, 1620 with what Bradford called "a prosperous wind". </P> <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 ship 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>

When did the mayflower set sail from england