Two plaques, including the one above, commemorate the Sea Venture. It, with eight other ships, departed this port on June 2, 1609.

The Pilgrim Steps (right) where the Pilgrims and also probably the Jamestown Adventurers last touched English soil. Joan may have gone down these very steps...

The “Island House,” circa late 16th century, is an inn where some of the Pilgrim fathers lodged—perhaps some of the Jamestown colonists as well.

When my turn came to board ship, I placed one foot hesitantly onto the gangplank. It shook with the weight of its passengers. It was, after all, just wood and iron crafted by men. As I peered beyond the ship to the ocean, I felt the

Somehow, it seemed that by placing both feet upon this bridge, I gave up claim to the Old World and committed to the new one, forever.

With that realization, a rush of fear shook me, and I wobbled like the plank. And with that fear came a sudden, terrible urge to turn around, to step off, to trust that Will would return safely. To stay.

With that fear came also strength, its source unknown to me, and in that strength, resolve. I took a deep breath of salty air, letting it fill my chest even while tears blurred my vision.

From Dark Enough to See the Stars in a Jamestown Sky by Connie Lapallo © 2006

I gazed first to the land behind me, the English countryside (above) — the “Magical Little Town of Tintagel”. Then I turned, facing the Atlantic.

I wondered again how the English Adventurers chose to leave such beauty for unknown lands beyond the sea. I imagined the ships departing these waters toward the setting sun, leaving Old England behind forever.

The ships got off to a slow start. The winds pounded us from the Southwest, forcing us to seek shelter in Falmouth Harbor, tucked away on the Cornish coast.

“This is not a good omen!” said Elizabeth, one of the women whose pallet was next to my own. She didn’t look like a pleasant neighbor, but perhaps her disposition would improve once the journey began. Then it occurred to me that no one’s disposition would get jollier being so long at sea and in such tight quarters. “Ah, well,” I said to myself with a sigh.

For six frustrating days we sat, waiting for the winds to turn. Now that we were going and committed to it all, I wanted to see progress. Instead, all I saw was the rocky Cornish coast.

From Dark Enough to See the Stars in a Jamestown Sky by Connie Lapallo © 2006