In 1620, John Howland climbed aboard a small merchant vessel named the Mayflower, along with a group of individuals who adamantly believed in the freedom to worship and praise God as they wanted to, instead of conforming to the usual religious practices. He and his group, known as the Puritans, traveled fearlessly west across the vast Atlantic Ocean toward the Americas, which was their endeavor. Although the journey was to be perilous, the Puritans had been struck with a mighty resolve to complete their trip. An truly terrible storm was one example of a mishap that occurred along the way was during a terrible storm. Screaming winds ripped across the deck, mountainous, foaming breakers battered the hull, and pelting rain trickled into every crack. Thunder roared harsher than gunfire, followed by flashing lightinglightning that cracked blindingly across the midnight sky. While sailors attempted to navigate the thrashing sea, the Puritans holed up on the lowest deck, away from the danger above.