Capt. John Smith Explores the Chesapeake Bay
On the second of June in 1608, Captain John Smith along with fourteen English colonists departed the Jamestown settlement in a open 30-foot boat. Their expedition was to explore and map the Chesapeake Bay region. During the 3-month expedition, they traveled over 1,500 miles making maps of the areas traveled.
This was the first major exploration by Europeans of the bay region. Spanish explorers and settlers established colonies in the area during the previous 85 years, but had not traveled the bay extensively.
The English sailed to the area in 1607 for three major reasons; to find precious minerals, to discover a water route to the Pacific Ocean, and to convert the natives to Christianity.
After a 4-month voyage across the Atlantic, the three ships in the expedition arrived along the Virginia coast. They selected a site for a fort and settlement, and called it Jamestown after King James of England.
During the first year, close to half of the settlers died from disease, starvation or skirmishes with Indians. John Smith’s military background allowed him to be put in charge of Indian relations. He established good relations with the local Indians and they assisted the English by providing much needed food during the first difficult winter.
The following Spring, Smith started his famous exploration of the area.
Starting May 12th, and progressing throughout this summer, a crew of modern-day explorers, historians, naturalists and educators will trace about 95% of Captain John Smith’s original expedition. Their journey will travel most of the tributaries of the bay in a reproduction of Smith’s boat. The boat, being sail and oar-powered is slow, able to only make two miles per hour using its oars and up to five miles per hour using sails on a windy day.
Living similar to the way Smith’s crew did, the modern day crew of 7 men and 5 women will pitch tents along the banks of the bay or sleep aboard during their 4-month voyage.
From June 27th until July 1st, the boat will stop in Washington, DC, making one of its twenty public exhibition stops along the route. While here, people can view the boat, talk with the crew, view educational displays and videos as well as participate in hands-on activities.
The boat will also stop in:
- Mt. Vernon on June 22 and 23
- Alexandria, VA on July 2,
- Annapolis, MD on July 14 and 15.
You can follow the progress of the voyage online.
Captain John Smith’s Chesapeake Bay Exploration Reenactment Voyage
Smithsonian Folklife Festival
The National Mall - between 7th and 14th Streets, NW
Washington, DC
Dates and Hours - June 27 - July 1, 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. daily.
Tickets - Free and not required.
Nearest Metro subway station - Federal Triangle or Smithsonian, Blue and Orange lines.
Parking - Metered street parking is available, but may be challenging to find during the Folklife Festival.
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POSTED IN: Attractions, City History & Information, Family Fun, Just a Bit Weird - Fun & Quirky Places, People, Special Events
1 opinion for Capt. John Smith Explores the Chesapeake Bay
The Annual Folklife Festival
Jun 22, 2007 at 6:07 am
[…] English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. Meet the crew of the Captain John Smith’s. Chesapeake Bay exploration reenactment […]
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