Recreating Maine's First Ship - Softcover

Cunningham, Paul T

Softcover

ISBN 13: 9798330352456

Publisher: Boat Building Books, 2024

Synopsis

In the summer of 1607, a group of approximately one hundred men arrived at the Sagadahoc River in their vessels, the "Gift of God" and the "Mary and John," sent to explore the region of "Northern Virginia." Under the guidance of shipwright Digby, these hardy voyagers built the pioneering ship, the "Virginia of Sagadahoc." After a challenging winter, the colony was abandoned, with some survivors returning to England on the Virginia and others on the Mary and John. The Virginia sailed again in 1609, reaching Jamestown, but its subsequent fate remains unknown. The precise location of the Popham Colony remained a mystery for centuries until Dr. Jeffery Brain led an archaeological dig in 1994, unearthing significant artifacts at Hossketch Point. From 1997 to 2013, Dr. Brain and teams of volunteers discovered more artifacts from Fort St. George. In 1997, Jane Stevens, Bud Warren, Rick Cromwell, and Sharon Drake initiated plans to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Popham Colony, including fundraising for the reconstruction of the Virginia. The Celebration of the Popham Colony and the Virginia Project commenced in July 1997, with a meeting held at Popham Chapel, attended by nearly one hundred people.

This photo essay by Paul T Cunningham, tells the story of the recreation of Virginia by volunteers through hardscrabble fundraising, to persevering through Maine's winter weather and harsh summer heat to completion of its maiden voyage and beyond.

About this title

About the Author

Paul T. Cunningham grew up in Freeport, Maine. He earned a degree in Secondary Science Education at University of Southern Maine (Gorham State College). Subsequently, for nearly a decade, he taught elementary science in Gardiner, Maine. Paul's love of photography led him away from the classroom. His first photographic job was with The Shopping Notes during the late 1980s. In 1990 Cunningham began his career as photojournalist at The Times Record and retired from there in 2008. Now Paul freelances, and follows Shipwright Rob Stevens on many of his exploits. The balance of his time is spent organizing the fruits of two decades of photography.

Edition details

• Publisher: Boat Building Books
• Publication date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 13: 9798330352456
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 98