First Sentence

"In the maritime history of this country there have been many famous vessels, vessels whose names bring to mind tales of exploration, colonization, merchant ventures, and desperate sea battles. There are varying opinions as to which is the most important, but one that stands high on the list is a small English merchant ship about which little is known. This vessel brought to these shores in 1620 the little band of dissenters and those who, for various reasons, cast their lot with them, now known as the Pilgrims."