Arrival at JamestownOn December 20, 1606, three small ships sailed down the Thames River from London. The Susan Constant was on hundred tons. Captain Christopher Newport commanded it. It carried seventy-one persons. The Godspeed was forty tons. Captain Bartholomew Gosnold commanded it. It carried fifty-two persons. The Discovery was a pinnace of twenty tons. Captain John Ratcliffe was its captain. It carried only twenty-one men.
The expedition of 1607 included a cargo of supplies. There were one hundred and forty-four persons on-board. One hundred and four or one hundred and five were to remain in Virginia as the first settlers. The expedition left England late in 1606. After a slow start, the ships proceeded over the long route through the West Indies. Captain Newport was in command. The identity of the councilors who were to govern in Virginia lay hidden in a locked box. It was not to be opened until their destination had been reached. Dissension at on point let to charges against Captain John Smith. He reached the New World in confinement. The "Land or Virginia" was first seen by the lookout on April 26th. Just a little later in the same day, a party was sent ashore at Cape Henry. They made the first landing in the wilderness that they came to conquer. Having been aboard the ship for many weeks, the settlers found the expanse of land, the green virgin tress, the cool, fresh water, and the unspoiled landscape a pleasure to behold. At Cape Henry, they saw Indians. The Indians wounded several of the party. They built a "shallop" (a small boat). They went exploring into the country for short distances by land and water. They enjoyed the spring flowers. They tasted roasted oysters and "fine beautiful strawberries." On April 29th, a cross was set up among the sand dunes. The next day, the ships were moved from Cape Henry into Chesapeake Bay They came to the site on Hampton Roads, which they named Point Comfort (no Old Point Comfort). DEATH AT JAMESTOWN
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JAMESTOWN FOUNDED IN 1607
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Jamestown
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