15 Aug 1620: The #Mayflower makes its initial, aborted departure from Southampton, England. The ship originally set sail alongside a smaller companion vessel called the Speedwell. However, severe leaks on the #Speedwell forced both ships to turn back twice for emergency repairs. Most #history books cite September 16 as the definitive departure date because that was when the #Pilgrims finally abandoned the faulty second ship and left #Plymouth alone to cross the Atlantic. #History #OTD #ad https://t.co/xiHeec73H4