Captain John Smith's Shallop
This modest open boat is a replica of one of the most important
vessels in American History. In the summer of 1608, a small boat or
"Shallop" similar to this was used by Captain John Smith to make the
first detailed European exploration of the Chesapeake Bay. In the
decades that followed, the knowledge gained from Smith's voyages played a
key role in opening the interior of America to tens of thousands of
European settlers.
In the summer of 2007, a crew of 12 modern explorers set out in this
replica of Smith's Shallop to retrace the 1608 voyages. Traveling 121
days and 1,700 miles under oar and sail power, the crew revisited all of
the waters traveled by Smith. The voyage served as the official
inauguration of Captain John Smith's epic voyages and their import in
American history. Today, the shallop serves as a roving ambassador for
the Trail.
Imagine a world of ancient forests, widespread native communities and
waterways teeming with life. Such was the Chesapeake that Captain John
Smith and his fellow travelers encountered during their epic journeys on
this "goody bay" in the early 1600's. Modern explorers can follow in
Smith's wake along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic
Trail, administered by the National Park Service.
Beam: 7 feet,8 inches
Framing: Osage Orange
Fastenings: Wooden and Iron Nails
Oars: 6 "Single Banked" Oars
Sails: 2 Sailed "Sprit Rig"
Builders:
John E. Swain, Master Shipwright
Nicholas Biles, Shipwright
The Volunteers of the Sultana Shipyard
Research/Design
Sultana Projects Inc.
Kees de Mooy
Eric Speth
John E. Swain
William A. Baker
W1, SPM, PS-CS6, IrfanView.
Cheers,
Brian
My Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ur4chun8/
My photos according to "Interestingness"...
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Capture Outdoors Maryland: http://www.capturemaryland.com/users/Starg82343