the "speedwell" planned to meet with the "mayflower" and both ships would travel to virginia colony. the "speedwell" proved unsafe and the passengers were put on the "mayflower". this made the ship very crowded. not all the passengers were separatists. there were about 50 colonists who went because they had certain skills. these skills would prove useful on the "mayflower" and at the colony. bradford said they hugged each other and cried and said goodbye to family and friends for the last time. they knew they were pilgrims and lifted their eyes to heaven, their dearest country and this comforted them.