Sailing to New France

300 years ago, wind power was the only way Europeans could reach the Americas. The French and many other nations had colonies in the New World. These colonies needed to be supplied with settlers, tradesmen, soldiers and mechanics, food, seeds, lifestock and manufactured products. The returning ships also needed to ship valuable New World products back to European investors.

While Spain received armadas of ships filled with Inca and Peruvian gold and silver, England received hogsheads of valuable tobacco and France received shiploads of timber and bundles valuable furs. And, of course, nearly every European nation carried home boat-loads of Cod fish from the Grand Banks.

Getting back and forth to the New World was not as simple as hoisting a sail or two and steering a merchant ship as it was pushed by wind power across 1200 leagues of cold Atlantic water.

Usually, prior to embarking on a New World voyage, everything was emptied from the ship and it was towed into shallow water. Using ropes and pulleys, the ship was tipped (careen)on its’ side. One side of the bottom of the ship was scraped, rotten wood replaced, joints filled with oakum and tar. When one side was done, the boat was rolled onto its’ other side and the laborious work repeated.

When refloated, the ballast, which consisted of many wooden barrels filled with stones, were carefully replaced in the bottom of the ship. It was important where the ballast was placed, as this heavy weight counterbalanced the wind-filled sails, preventing the ship from tipping over.

Next the ship was towed to a berth where its’ mast, spas, cables, rigging and sails where inspected, repaired or replaced where necessary, tarred, painted, etc.

Lastly, the ship’s crew loaded provisions, water, cargo and any passengers welcomed aboard. All these preparations could take a couple of months.

Once the sailors had hoisted the anchor and set the sails, a French merchant ship might anchor in Quebec City in about 70 days. The trip home was usually much faster (33 days on average) because of strong westerly winds.

Of course some French ships never reached home as storms, icebergs, pirates and enemy gun ships took their toll on shipping.