Timeline of Transatlantic Communication During the Early American Revolution

During the early days of the American Revolution, the process of sending a message from Europe to the North American colonies was a decidedly slow and challenging endeavor. Messages were often sent by ship, and the entire journey could take several weeks to a few months, depending on various factors including mode of transportation, departure and arrival points, intermediary stops, and local communication networks.

Factors Affecting Transatlantic Communication

The length of the journey was influenced by several factors:

Mode of transportation: Messages were usually conveyed by ship, and the speed of the voyage depended on weather conditions, the type of vessel, and the route taken. Departure and arrival points: A letter sent from London to New York might take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks, while more distant southern colonies could take even longer. Intermediary stops: Ships often made stops at various ports, extending delivery times. Communication networks: Once messages arrived in the colonies, local communication networks played a role in their dissemination.

Overall, the process was lengthy and unpredictable, with the typical journey taking 6 to 12 weeks.

The Decimation of Time

Many resources suggest that an Atlantic crossing took 3 to 4 weeks. However, this is incorrect. While there may have been rare instances of ships making the crossing with favorable winds in as little as 4 weeks, the average duration was closer to 6 to 12 weeks. Winter voyages were particularly delayed due to storms and rough seas, which forced ships to proceed more slowly and indirectly.

Navigating European Ports

For a letter to be sent from Europe to a North American colony, there were several steps involved:

The first step was securing a means of transport from the port of departure. Travel times over land could range from a few days to weeks, depending on the origin of the message. For example, it would take about a week for a letter to travel from Vienna to the port of Hamburg, and around two days from Paris to the port of Dieppe. From there, the letter would need to travel to England, as mercantilist laws forbade direct traffic between non-British ports and British colonies. The most likely port for traffic from North Sea ports would be London, as it was the key port for trade with continental Europe. After reaching an English port, the letter would wait for a ship destined for its specific colony. For a letter addressed to a major port like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Norfolk, or Charleston, it would typically take about a week to reach the port and another week to reach the addressee after the ship's arrival. In the case of a letter from Scandoavia, Germany, or France, it would take about 3 to 4 weeks to reach an appropriate British port. From southern Europe or St. Petersburg, it would take even longer.

Voyage to the Colonies

Once a ship arrived at its destination port, it could take about 8 weeks for the voyage across the Atlantic. Upon arrival, a letter addressed to a major port city like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Norfolk, or Charleston would reach the addressee shortly after the ship's arrival. However, for letters addressed to moreremote locations, the journey overland was slower, with relay riders managing about 100 miles a day along main post roads and about 30 miles a day for a rider with a horse.

Using these timelines, a letter from Vienna to Thomas Jefferson in Charlottesville would be a lengthy journey, taking roughly 3 months. From London to Charlottesville, it would take about two and a half months.

These dates highlight the challenges and long delays inherent in transatlantic communication during the American Revolution, emphasizing the importance and difficulty of maintaining communication over vast distances in a period before modern technology.