The Washington times., 1928-06-13
NEW MO Or GAR
PLYMOUTH

DETROIT. June Is, The trend
toward naming new cars after we'll
known figures and occurrences In
American history was accentuated
by announcement here yesterday
that brand-new car, soon to make
its bow to the public, II to be
called the Plymouth.
According to the announcement
the car has been under construcI
ton for some time, but formal de-
cision as to its name was not de.
ternined until few days ago.
No information as to what com
panv II to build 1t, its price, size
Or other details could be secured.
Spokesman for 1t said the name
falmouth was chosen because the
ear so accurately typifies the en-
durance and strength, the rugged
honesty, enterprise, the determine
ton of achievement and the Tree
dom from old limitations Of the
Pilgrim band who were the first
American cOIonists.
The Plymouth takes It's name
from the best known settlement In
the colonization of North America.
III was the landing place Of those
freedorn-lOving Pilgrims who fled
from England in 1920. Plymouth
Rock, their landing place, was
visited last year by more than III
0O0, 900 Americans.
Sought New Homes
The Pilgrims who came over on
the MayfloWer had, because of their
reliefous beliefs. been married. and
pereecuted both 81 Queen Elizabetl1
800 Mar sllcceesOr king James
Fleeing to Holland, they failed ~
find satisfactory living conditions
iii that country. Their children were
rapidly absorbing the language and
habits Of the Dutch, ard many OF
the young men had abandoned the
coIony. and gone to sea In the
Dutch merchant marine.
In the face of these difficulties
they determined to seek new homes
in America and set forth in 1920 IN
the SpeedwelI from Delfthayen, Hol-
land. At Southampton, England,
they were met by another group OF
Pilgrims who had chartered the
MayfIoWer. Both ships set forth,
but the Speedwell sprung several
leaks, with the result that both YES
sells returned TO plymouth, where
the SpeedWell's passengers were
crowded into the MayfIower. One
hundred Pilgrims finally left Ply
mouth September s, 1920, bound for
North America.
The voyage was full of hardships.
In mid-ocean the Mayflower broke
= mainbeam. For time 1t seemed
that the Pilgrims would be forced
to return to England. This mlshap
was remedied by an ingenious car
penter and the voyage continued.
In November land was sighted,
which subsequently proved to he
Cape Cod. The Pilgrims had no
right to settle there as their land
grant did not hold good in that
territory. Turning southwark. they
met dangerous shoals. They finally
decided to settle near Cape Cod and
take UP the question of charter
with the Plymouth Company at 9
later date.
Suffered Greatly
Five weeks the Mayflower stood
at anchor while small landing
parties under William Brewster
william Bradford and Miles Stan
dish attempted to find suitable
spot for the settlement. This was
accomplished at last and rude dwell
inps erected. The colonists and
their belongings were brought
ashore and landed, according tc
history, on the same Plymouth
Rock which today Is known Wher
ever history is taught.
Winter was already under way
and the sufferings of the Pilgrims
were intense. There was scarcity
of provisions and a lack OF other
| facilities which would have discour
aged any less hardy people. Dur
ing the winter 81 of the colonists
died. At times the living coulo
scarcely bury the dead. But their
determination remained mistaken.
A year after their landing saw
great changes among the colonists
A fortress had been erected, 2t
acres OF land cleared and so re
cruits had come out from England
A plentiful harvest had been gath
cred in. Venison. wild fowl and
fin had been added to their larder
Several town meetings had been
held and even laws had been passed
When food and fuel had been
stored away against the ensuing
winter, Governor Bradford ordered
| a general day Of Thanksgiving
from which our own Thanksgiving
Day is directly descended. And the
history of New England, later Ia
develop into the United States OF
America. had begun.