Jamestown in James City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Ships
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008
1. Ships Marker
In December 1606, Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery left England with 105 colonists and supplies of food, tools, livestock, and military equipment to start a new colony in Virginia. The English investors who funded the colony hoped to tap into Virginia’s valuable resources, encourage new industries, and find a route to the riches of the East Indies.
The voyage of over four months was difficult for crew and passengers. Poor nutrition, stormy seas, overcrowding, and boredom created illness and ill feelings. Crew filled their time sailing the ship. Passengers were cramped below with cannon, supplies, and baggage.
Merchant ships were a lifeline to England for the settlers in Virginia, bringing fresh supplies, more colonists, and news from home. These vessels, re-creations of the three original ships, were built here at Jamestown Settlement, and occasionally sail with a volunteer crew to other ports.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1606.
Location. 37° 13.343′ N, 76° 47.258′ W. Marker is in Jamestown, Virginia, in James City County. Marker can be reached from Jamestown Road (Virginia Route 31), on the left when traveling south. Marker is near the waterfront at the Jamestown Settlement.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Susan Constant (within shouting distance of this marker); Godspeed (within shouting distance of this marker); Voyage to Virginia (within shouting distance of this marker); James Fort (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Discovery (about 300 feet away); Powhatan Indian Village (about 700 feet away); At Jamestown Began: (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Smith Explores the Chesapeake (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jamestown.
More about this marker. Pictures on the marker depict the Susan Constant, flagship of the fleet, and passengers and crew of the ships. “Written descriptions and underwater archaeological excavations indicate that passengers filled long hours telling stories, smoking pipes, playing instruments such as tahoe pipes, and playing games such as cards, dice and draughters (checkers).”
Also see . . . Jamestown Settlement. Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation website entry (Submitted on February 13, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008
2. Ships on the Jamestown Waterfront
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008
3. Susan Constant
The Susan Constant was the flagship and the largest of the three ships that brought the first permanent English settlers to America in 1607.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008
4. Discovery
Smallest of the three ships, the Discovery remained in Jamestown when the other two vessels returned to England.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008
5. Godspeed
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 759 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 13, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
