Crossing the Atlantic in 1600: A Two- to Three-Month Ordeal

In 1600, a transatlantic voyage from Europe to the Americas typically took 8 to 12 weeks, depending on route, season, vessel, and luck.

Typical Route & Duration

• Southern route (trade winds): Canaries → Caribbean. 6–8 weeks (e.g., Spanish treasure fleets).
• Northern route (westerlies): England/France → Newfoundland/New England. 8–12 weeks (e.g., Mayflower: 66 days, 1620).
• Return (eastbound): Faster—4–6 weeks via Gulf Stream and westerlies.

Key Variables

• Ship type: Carrack, galleon, fluyt—square-rigged, 200–500 tons, 4–6 knots average.
• Weather: Hurricanes (Jun–Nov), North Atlantic storms, doldrums.
• Navigation: Dead reckoning, cross-staff, no longitude—missed landfalls common.
• Provisioning: Water, salt meat, hardtack, beer. Scurvy killed 50%+ on long voyages.
• Crew & passengers: 30–100 sailors; 50–200 passengers (colonists, soldiers, convicts).

Mortality & Misery

Typical mortality 10–20% (disease, malnutrition, accidents). Overcrowding, lice, rats, no sanitation. "Steerage" conditions barely improved by 1800.

Historical Context

1600 predates Jamestown (1607), Quebec (1608), Plymouth (1620). Voyages were speculative ventures—high risk, uncertain return. The Mayflower's 66-day crossing was actually fast; many took 100+ days.

Today's 7–8 hour flight covers the same distance in 1/200th the time—a reminder of how technology has collapsed the Atlantic.