Cape Henry in Virginia Beach, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Discovery
Ships of the Virginia Company
— First Landing State Park —
The smallest of the three ships, it was the only one to stay at Jamestown after the first voyage to Virginia. During the voyage from England the Discovery carried 21 people. Living up to its name, it was used by Captain John Smith on his voyages of discovery up and down the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Captain Smith also used it to facilitate trade with the Native Americans.
Though complete records of the dimensions for the ship may have been lost to history based on piecing together information the ship's measurements may have been:
Sparred Length: 66'
Length on Deck: 50'10"
Beam (width): 14'
Draft: 6'6"
Mainmast Height: 59'
Sail Area: 1,160 sq. ft.
Burdon Tonnage: 20 tons
[Sidebar:]
John Smith's account of the voyage
"The first land they made they called Cape Henry;…From Generall Historie of Virginia by Captain John Smith
That night was the box opened, and the orders read, in which Bartholomew Gosnoll, John Smith, Edward Wingfield, Christopher Newport, John Martin, and George Kendall, were named to be the Councell"
Erected by Virginia State Parks, Department of Conservation
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 36° 55.042′ N, 76° 3.389′ W. Marker is in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is in Cape Henry. Marker can be reached from Shore Drive (U.S. 60) 0.4 miles west of Virginia Route 343, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2315 Kendall St, Virginia Beach VA 23451, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. George Kendall (within shouting distance of this marker); Land Ho! (approx. 0.2 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1371 (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Landing State Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Virginia Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); Seashore State Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Chesapeake Indians (approx. 1.3 miles away); Meeting of Three Commanders (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Virginia Beach.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 219 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 31, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
