Maine's First Ship (MFS) is a non-profit formed to build a reconstruction of the first English-built vessel in North America, the pinnace VIRGINIA, built in 1607 at the mouth of the Kennebec River by the Popham Colony. Though the colony did not last past 1608, VIRGINIA made two trans-Atlantic crossings. The project is in its fund-raising phase with construction to be done on the grounds of the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, Maine.
The construction of the vessel will be done under the direction of master shipwright, Rob Stevens, and will involve many volunteers. As part of our education programs, vocational technical students in Bath are currently digitizing the drawings of the vessel in preparation for their design, construction, packaging and development of marketing strategies for models of VIRGINIA.
Our project is focused on education - educating people about the Popham Colony, early Maine History, and the shipbuilding tradition in Maine.
More information can be found at the project website: www.mainesfirstship.org.
Thoughts and comments about the project and its goals are welcomed!
posted by Maine's First Ship at 11:18 AM
15 Comments:
JWB just shared the following with me: "If you watched JEOPARDY last Thursday evening you would have heard: "In 1607, the first English Ship was built in what is now this state." The answer "What is Maine?" came immediately, and knocked me off the couch!"Someone is up on their early American history!
7:11 AM, October 23, 2006
Exciting talk about interactive "Wattle and Daub" construction demonstrations at both Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, to coincide with the exhibit of Fort St. George artifacts May-Oct '07, and at the POPHAM 400 celebration in Aug. '07! Can we imagine living in one through a cold windy Maine winter on that spit of land overlooking the Kennebec? Hardly...
Saplings woven over a frame, and packed with mud. Should be alot of fun to try our hands at it!
8:12 AM, October 25, 2006
Here is a reminder to any and all about the synposium on Fri and Sat.
MAINE’S FIRST SHIP presents a two day Symposium
WABANAKI INDIANS AND ENGLISH SETTLERS
Mutual Discoveries on the Maine Coast: 17C and Beyond
Friday November 3, 2006: 7-9 PM
Saturday November 4, 2006: 9 AM - 4 PM
Maine Maritime Museum, Long Reach Hall
243 Washington Street, Bath ME 04530
Co-sponsored by Maine’s First Ship and Maine Maritime Museum
Speakers: Bruce Bourque, Maine State Museum
Darren Ranco, Dartmouth College
Thomas Buckley, Independent Scholar
John W. Bradford, Independent Scholar
Join us as we explore the meeting of cultures that occurred on the Maine coast in the early 17th century and its implications for the centuries that followed. This symposium will approach this meeting freshly, as one of mutual discovery (and, often, misunderstanding), not simply as the first chapter in a triumphal "American" founding myth.
Teachers: 8 contact hours will be given if attending both events.
Cost: $10/Friday only, $25 Saturday only, $30 both days
FMI : www.mainesfirstship.org or 207.386.0300
To reserve a seat: 207.386.0300
9:08 AM, October 30, 2006
I've stood on the spit of land at Popham, looked out over the water at the mouth of the Kennebec, looked back to watch diggers at the archaeological site at Fort St. George, and wondered. Did any of those men stay, instead of returning to England in 1608? Common myth is "no", but there must have been some among them that were tempted enough to stay, maybe move upriver.
8:04 AM, November 01, 2006
Anonymous asked about whether any Popham Colonists remained here...the short answer is "no," all returned to England. 1. Given the time of year and the onslaught of winter weather, previous experience would have told them there was little reason or incentive to stay. 2. There was (apparently)no leadership capable of replacing Raleigh Gilbert's authority, and he had decided to return and claim his inheritance. The men would not stay without him.
There is no record of anyone staying...only rumor (wishful thinking?) For many reasons even a group of 8 or 10 would have been in considerable danger, with survival unlikely.
3:04 PM, November 01, 2006
Refering to whether any colonists stayed in 1608, I agree it seems unlikely giving the circumstances. Is there perhaps historical information among the Native American peples living in the area??
10:50 AM, November 14, 2006
Portland Press Herald: Reader Comment on the article titled The River Road, Nov 12, regarding the new CD audio Tour of the Kennebec" "Deep Woods and River Roads: Voices from the Kennebec-Chaudiere Heritage Corridor". Jenna writes: "BRAVO to the Maine's First Ship folks who are now fundraising to build a reconstruction of the FIRST ship built by English settlers in North America, at Popham Colony. Jane Stevens says it right: "not a failure", they started our 400 year tradition of fine ship-building. We all need to help build that reconstructed VIRGINIA!
9:17 PM, November 15, 2006
The question about English men staying on after Popham colony was abandoned is a good one. The English had a hard time preventing sailors and colonists from deserting in order to live with Indian groups. Native society proved so alluring (and, perhaps, English class oppression so so repellant, once people had seen an alternative) that, e.g., many female captives refused repatriation when offered the chance. Miles Standish found a native burial on Cape Cod when the Mayflower first arrived: a European (probably English) buried with a baby in his arms. Eventually, John Winthrop made it a capital offense, in Massachusetts Bay Colony, to desert the colony in order to live with Indians. There was, in short, a lot more than the weather for the Pophammers to contend with.--Tim Buckley
5:31 PM, November 29, 2006
I saw the schooner Sherman Zwicker heading out of the Museum dock yesterday; returning home for the winter? I couldn't help but imagine the VIRGINIA heading out sometime soon, 2008?, motoring to her winter berth. There was a dusting of snow, and it was cold. My guess is the passengers on the Zwicker had a nod for the Ft. St. George site as they passed by, caught in the cold moving waters of the outgoing tide.
8:27 AM, December 05, 2006
Glad to see the historical segment on Maine's First Ship and Popham Colony on MPBN's "Maine Experience" last night. People should know that they can view it anytime on www.mpbn.net at the Maine Experience "segment" button. Too bad they didn't mention the current efforts to reconstruct her!
2:14 PM, January 19, 2007
If you read E. Chandler's note on the Portland Press Herald's "Legacy of Ship" focus, you understand some of the differences of opinion possible/probable when nothing is really known for sure. One thing is for sure: Virginia was the beginning of European ship-building in Maine, as PPH heralds. Has anybody found the shipwreck in the Irish waters yet?
12:29 PM, February 14, 2007
It would be interesting to know what happened in between sailing back to England and your reference to sinking in Irish waters... I am aware the Virginia recrossed at least once - any details / easily accessible sources?
I have started a hare so to speak by seeking here in UK for names of possible settlers - as yet unknown. You never know - if any suggestions crop up will pass on
10:22 AM, April 10, 2007
Note the recent link added on MFS website "history" page re known names of settlers!
11:07 AM, April 11, 2007
BRAVO MFS for putting up the VIRGINIA exhibit at Maine Maritime Museum. It is an interesting way of learning more about Popham Colony and the history of the area. Thank you!
8:33 AM, July 11, 2007
Hello MFS!
Would love to see new news of any sort concerning the progress of the Virginia Project. Perhaps the drawings are ready?
4:46 PM, March 21, 2008
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