IN SEARCH OF FREEDOM: An Ulster Scots Journey
It was mid-October in the year 1636. A small sailing ship of some 150 tons was in rather a desperate plight in the North Atlantic, about 800 miles from the rocky Newfoundland coast. Very strong winds from the North West, full of rain, had been blowing for several days, causing more and more damage to the struggling vessel. The rudder was broken, as well as the cross-tree. supporting the rigging of the main mast. This, dangling and swinging wildly. had entangled the rigging and caused the foresail to be badly torn. Towering waves had crashed down over the roundhouse on to the stricken boat, pounding the deck with such force that it caused one of the main beams to crack under the gunner-room door. A gaping opening appeared between some of the supported deck planks. Through this the seawater rushed in a flood to drench many of the 140 passengers crowded underneath between decks. Then the ship sprang a leak. It was now in great danger of being swamped and quick action was needed. This was immediately forthcoming. and the operation of two pumps was successful in restoring a measure of safety to those on board. In those far-off days, no radio message could be flashed ashore to bring other vessels or aircraft speeding to the scene. The peril of that moment must have been nerve-wrecking to the passengers and to the crew.
This is how a story began of a people who shaped the character and destiny of a great nation. The people were the Ulster Scots and the nation is the United States of America
To Ulsters Credit (COVER)
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