The GODSPEED sailed from England to what became Jamestown, Virginia, nearly four centuries ago. Now a replica of the little two-master has been launched in Rockport, and will make its way south after sea trials.
But in 1607 the boatload of would-be settlers had no modern navigation gear and certainly no diesel engines. All of those things, plus toilet and enclosed shower, are built into the $2.5 million GODSPEED built at Rockport Marine and launched March 18 at Rockport’s Marine Park.
Steve Bailey of Tenants Harbor, who crafted deadeyes and wooden blocks (pulleys) for GODSPEED, is looking forward to a maiden voyage aboard the boat he helped build.
The original GODSPEED was one of three ships responsible for the settlement called Jamestown on land taken from the Powhatan tribe. Jamestown is now a museum and the Rockport-built GODSPEED will be the third and most historically accurate replica built for the Jamestown Settlement museum. Americans of European descent like to call their forebears settlers, but from a Native American perspective the Englishmen were invaders who stole land and killed the “savage” Indians who protested.
There were no historical plans to follow in building the replica. There are no records of her dimensions. Bruce said experts had to hypothesize what GODSPEED looked like based on its tonnage. The current design is by Tri-Coastal Marine of Richmond, California. GODSPEED is 74-feet LOA with a 16.5-foot beam and 7-foot draft. Its sail area is 2,420 square feet and the entire boat displaces 71.5 tons.
This spring, GODSPEED will leave Rockport for Jamestown. From there, GODSPEED will visit various ports for public visits, starting with Alexandria, Virginia, May 27 to June 3. It will be in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor June 9-12, Philadelphia’s Penn’s Landing June 16-19, New York City’s South Street Seaport Museum June 27-July 6, Boston’s John J. Moakley Court House pier July 14-19, and Newport’s Commercial Wharf July 25-30. q
–Steve Cartwright