Sailing from Canada to Europe in Old Ships: 2–4 Months

Crossing the North Atlantic under sail in the "Age of Sail" (16th–19th century) took **typically 2 to 4 months**, highly dependent on route, season, ship, and luck.

Typical Times (West → East = Faster)

• Fastest Record (Packet Ship): **Flying Cloud** – **89 days** (NY–Liverpool, 1854). **Lightning** – 87 days (1854).
• Typical Packet Ship (1840s–50s): **25–35 days** (NY–Liverpool).
• Early 17th Century (Mayflower, 1620): **66 days** (Plymouth, UK → Cape Cod, Sept–Nov – *against* prevailing westerlies).
• Average Merchantman (1700s): **6–8 weeks** (35–55 days) with favorable westerlies.
• East → West (Europe → Canada/US): **8–12+ weeks** (50–80 days). **Against** prevailing westerlies & currents. Much harder.

Key Factors

• Route: **Great Circle / Westerlies (40°–50°N)** = fastest west→east. **Trade Winds (lower latitudes)** = better east→west but longer distance.
• Season: **Winter = stronger westerlies, worse storms.** Summer = lighter winds, hurricane risk (south).
• Ship Design: Clippers (sharp bow, huge sail area) vs. fuller hulls. Rig (square vs. fore-and-aft).
• Navigation: Chronometer (post-1760s) = accurate longitude. Before: dead reckoning, latitude sailing = longer, riskier.
• Crew Skill/Health: Scurvy, discipline, experience.
• Icebergs/Fog: Grand Banks danger.

Canada-Specific

• **Departure:** Quebec City, Halifax, St. John's (NL). St. John's is **closest to Europe (~2,000 nm)**.
• **Arrival:** Liverpool, Bristol, London, Glasgow, Le Havre, Brest.
• **St. John's → Liverpool:** ~1,950 nm. **Fast clipper: 12–16 days.** Average: 25–35 days.

Summary: **West→East (Canada→Europe): 3–6 weeks typical.** **East→West: 7–12 weeks.** The Mayflower's 66 days was slow (late season, heavy, westbound). Clippers shattered records later.