Maine’s First Ship ’s First Ship: Reconstructing the Winter 2020 continues to make Special points of interest: • Vessels of the Popham progress amid pandemic colony • Jane Stevens Visitor Center hosts visitors this summer Paul C. and Paul K. • MFS in the news Volunteers kept Maine’s fall, we decided to divide • Rigging updates First Ship moving ahead volunteers who were still are constructing the bul- • Updated website this summer, despite willing to work on the ship warks, and Dana and • “Art of the Virginia” covid-19’s unrelenting into “pods” of two or three Bruce are gathering mate- virtual exhibit ability to present chal- and spread out the work rials to install the engine

lenges. Some volunteers across 5 days a week. and its accessory parts.

took Virginia projects As a result, the last Outside, Fred is home, while others simply piece of lead keel is being working on the windlass Newsletter produced worked on long-neglected hung by Charlie and Jim A. drum, while Jim P. is cut- courtesy of the house chores. As you can see in ting decorative pieces for Publicity the photos below, the deck the transom. Committee: After closing in Dan Wood has Roger Barry, Lori Benson, April, we re-opened the is finished and Gail, Elise, Allison Hepler boat shed in June two Jeremy, and Reg are now been overseeing the dock days a week with safety caulking and paying the construction. precautions such as hand deck. The caulking is tarred Riggers have been sanitizer, masks, and so- hemp, the same material so productive they are Keel donation from Morton- Kelly Trust. Thanks, Erik cial distancing. that the original builders taking a few weeks off. Jorgensen As numbers of would have used. Orman, You’ll see photos positive covid-19 cases our Oliver Twist, has been of all the progress inside! across Maine rose in the rolling the oakum.

DECK — BEFORE (L) AND AFTER (Below)

Page 2 Maine’s First Ship: Reconstructing the pinnace Virginia President’s Notes Still an amazing have been enthralled by our endeavor . . . building of Virginia. Also to me it has been amazing to Even as we are unable work together with so many to come together this different people to bring Vir- year we still have a lot ginia to realization, and to give thanks for at I give thanks to all of MFS, especially to our you. family of friends, staff, board, and volunteers. Stay safe, For me it has been not - Orman only a lesson in ship- building and history, but the meeting of people from around America and the world, who

Jane Stevens Visitor Center hosts visitors this summer The Jane Stevens Visitor Center plastic barrier at the desk, a hand in the Bath Freight Shed opened washing station at the door to the in Mid-July for visitors from near boat shed, hand sanitizer by the and far. “We were glad to be check in, separate holders for open five days a week,” said Vol- clean versus used pens, and dispos- unteer and Board member able masks available free of charge. Dorsey Harrison. The Center Dorsey added that “we also imple- remained open until October 11 mented a waiting area on the deck and then twice a week until No- so only one group was touring the vember 9, when the in- facility and boat crease in COVID-19 cas- at a time and es across Maine caused a engaged in en- complete closure for the hanced clean- Winter. Tours are availa- ing.” ble by appointment. Volun- Volunteers trained teer docents Shed: “We met visitors from all for their docent work via Allison Hepler across the country who had Zoom, and made adjust- and Rob Ste- come to Maine for an extended ments to space inside the vens loved stay. We also re-acquainted locals Freight Shed to protect their weekly with the progress on the ship.” volunteers and guests. “tour of duty” These included a physical at the Freight Maine’s First Ship: Reconstructing the pinnace Virginia Page 3 MFS riggers reflect on how rigging differs from ship construction

By Jim Nelson tended to. The rigging, howev- er, is done in pretty much the opposite order. For several years now we’ve been working on the details: building the blocks, or pulleys, that are a major part of the rigging, making and attaching the rope “strops” — the rope bands that will hold the blocks in place, each one different and specially made Sails are “bent” or attached, Virginia’s rigging continues apace, for its purpose — measuring and the rigging that will control though I find myself reflecting on and cutting the heavy standing them set in place. Finally, how very different the pro- when the ship emerges from cess of rigging the ship is the boathouse, all this rigging from building it, and how will be set up where it ultimate- that difference makes the ly belongs. With Virginia in the progress that’s been made water, after the shipwrights on rigging much less visible have seen all their efforts come than that of the ship itself. together, it will be time for the A ship is built, liter- rigging to come together as ally, from the ground up: well. From the jumble of sundry the keel is laid, frames are gear it will all turn into the lofty built and put in place, plank- and complex system of spars, ing is fastened on, decks are ropes and sails which will drive put down. The hull is com- our ship before the wind. pleted and then the smaller, finer rigging that will hold the masts I’m pleased to report aspects of the shipwright’s art at- up. The result of our we are well on our way. efforts appears to be just a great jumble of sundry gear. But now as we finish building those components and start to fit them to the spars, all those disparate parts start coming together as a func- tioning system. Page 4 Maine’s First Ship: Reconstructing the pinnace Virginia

Vessels of the Popham Colony: The Richard of Plimouth and Sir ’s ship, 1606

By Rob Stevens George Waymouth the previ- and, it appears, killed one crew In 1582, the English with John ous year. The Captain was member. Hawkins and were Henry Challons, who had made The crew was taken to active exploiting the Western three previous trips to and imprisoned. Some Hemisphere harassing the Spanish “Virginia.” The Master was escaped, one was murdered by smuggling, slaving, and piracy. Nicholas Hines and the Pilot and one died of the Flux. The The undeclared Anglo- was John Stoneman who had pilot Stoneham was offered Spanish War lasted from 1585 to been to Northern Virginia the great rewards for information 1604 with fighting between Catho- year before with George Way- about ''Virginia'' for which he lics and Protestants in Europe and mouth when the 5 Indians, the refused and escaped. When English piracy in the West Indies. Mawooshon 5, were kidnapped. Stoneham escaped there were Many of the people involved in Whatever the purpose of kid- 17 men still held by the Span- these battles went on to be in- napping the Indians was, they ish. The Spanish used various volved in the exploration and col- were captured before there methods to try to enlist the onization attempts of Newfound- was a Virginia Charter. Sirs Indians. In August 1608 the land, “Virginia”, and Guiana. Popham and Gorges came into Spanish Council of State sen- At the same time Basque, possession of them and it tenced the remaining crew to English, French, Dutch, and Swe- seems planned on using them the galleys. dish fishermen had been coming as intermediaries between the About two months af- to the “Western Ocean” for dec- English and the Indians. ter the Richard sailed, Sir John ades. John Smith writes in 1614 The purpose of the voy- Popham sent a second vessel that by 1600 there were 200 Eu- age was “if any good occasion to meet up with the Richard ropean vessels and 10,000 men were offered, to leave as many and bring more supplies. The and boys involved in the fisheries. men as wee could spare in the Captain was Thomas Hanham The Richard of Plimouth was the Country. Being victualled for 11 and the Master was Martin first vessel sent by Sir John Pop- or 12 months.” The Richard Pring. Nahanada, another one ham, Sir , and sailed to the Canary Islands of the Indians kidnapped by others of the West Country to 28*40'N, August 31 but the Captain Waymouth the previ- settle the Seconde Colonie in best they could make with con- ous year, was brought back to Northern Virginia. The Richard trary winds was the Antilles at Pemaquid where he would set forth from Plimouth August 14*20'N, mid-October. Head- meet the Popham colonists the 12, 1606, four months before the ing north they rescued Father next year. The second vessel Firste Colonie sailed for what Blasius from the Ile of Domini- arrived in November, and after would become Jamestown. All we ca where upon pain of death he 6 weeks of waiting for the know is she was a “Small ship of taught the Indians how to make Richard and exploring more of the burthen of 55 Tunnes or there sails and rig them in their ca- the coast, it returned to Eng- -about.” My estimate is she would noes. Heading north through land. Soon after, the Popham be about 63 feet on deck. She car- Spanish-controlled waters, on colonists set sail. ried “29 Englishmen and 2 of the 5 November 10, at 27*N, likely Savages, Mannido and Assa- north of the Bahamas, the comouit,” kidnapped by Captain Spanish captured the Richard (Continued on next page) Maine’s First Ship: Reconstructing the pinnace Virginia Page 5

Vessels of the Popham Colony . . . . . (Continued)

ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON napped by Waymouth 1605. Se- land around February 1607. Sir THE VESSELS: verely wounded when captured Gorges feels this is the best map by the Spanish. Manages to return yet of “Virginia.” The RICHARD of to . Sails to Martha's Vine- Captain – Thomas Hanham, 55 tuns or there-abouts yard 1614 with Captain Hobson 1576- 1652, grandson of Sir John captured by Spanish November and Epenow, a Nauset taken by Popham, investor in the Plymouth 10, 1606, Spanish prize crew Captains Harlow and Hobson in Company could not make her sail well, so 1611. Lost from history after Master – Martin Pring, 1580- they took back onboard two Eng- Epenow escapes at Martha’s Vine- 1626, at the age of 23, 1603 was lish sailors, sank in Guadalquivir yard. the captain of a 6 month voyage River, Spain - Master Daniel Tucker (1575- exploring “Northern Virginia”. Crew- 29 Englishmen and two 1625) – Cape Merchant 1604 sailed to Guiana. Worked kidnapped Indians [treasurer, factor], on the Spanish for the for Captain - Henry Challons Gen- ship that missed Spain, ended up years. Then worked for the Vir- tleman, of Stonehouse, - in Bordeaux, France, arrested and ginia Company. shire born before 1580, died be- seized the Spanish ship and cargo. Crew – Nahanada – Indian kid- fore 1620, Escaped from Spain Ship owned in St. Malo, Captain napped by Waymouth 1605. No before May 1608, made 3 previ- Alphonse Camache. returned to mention of this but must have ous voyages to “Virginia.” England, total of 4 Englishmen on been returned to Pemaquid on Master – Nicholas Hine (or this Spanish ship in France. 1608- this voyage. Hinds or Haines) of Cockingham, went as cape merchant for 2nd near Dartmouth, escaped Jamestown Supply. 1618- appoint- Spain to England before March ed 2nd Governor of 13, 1607. - Pierce Gliddon- Spanish ship Pilot- John Stoneman of missed Spain, ended up in Bor- Plimouth, Had gone on Way- deaux, France mouth's 1605 voyage. Ended up - John Walrond – Steward piloting the Spanish ship, Peter of - William Stone – (Ship?) Car- Sivill, Captain Andreas Barbear, penter 180 tons, that captured the Rich- - Robert Cooke of London, ard after the Spanish pilot got Lutheran, died of the flux in Span- lost. Escaped from Spain before ish prison November 1607. Captain Chal- - Nathaniel Hunfrie – Boat- lons and 16 men still held captive swain murdered in Spanish prison, when Stoneman escapes. murderer hanged. Crew - James Stoneman – John 2nd VESSEL Stoneman's brother, escaped Around two months after the with Stoneman Richard sails Sir John Popham - Master Thomas Saint John- sends a second vessel, late Sep- escaped with Stoneman tember, Master Martin Pring, to - Mannido - Indian kid- meet the Richard at Pemaquid, napped by Waymouth 1605, pris- Maine. Not finding the Richard, oner in Spain, lost to history. Hanham and Pring map the coast - Assacomouit - Indian kid- for six weeks and return to Eng- Page 6 Maine’s First Ship: Reconstructing the pinnace Virginia “Art of the Virginia” virtual exhibit

Maine’s First Ship has been Lori hopes this grant behind the Freight Shed. awarded a grant to launch its will allow MFS to mount this The second grant from Maine first virtual art exhibit, Art of exhibit as the first of several, Humanities Council came in June, and the Virginia. Originally planned eventually producing a rotat- allowed MFS to offset some of its for Maine’s bicentennial, this ing display of images and com- revenue losses due to covid-19. This exhibit will include paintings, mentary. Planning began in funding has been provided by the drawings, Octo- Maine Humanities Council and the maps, as ber, with National Endowment for the Human- well as scholars ities (NEH) as part of the Corona- rigging and of colo- virus Aid, Relief and Economic Secu- other ship nial and rity (CARES) Act economic stabiliza- compo- Wa- tion plan of 2020. nents. banaki (Photo left: Mouse mainstay, Ac- history made of canvas, seine twine, and rope.) cording to offering MFS Vice their President Lori Benson, the ex- expertise on the items, which hibit will also explore the will be part of the exhibit. The meanings of the images and Art of the Virginia opens in mid- also incorporate the historical January. and cultural context of the im- The Maine Humanities ages and artifacts. Council’s decision to award “The pandemic forced funding to MFS brings to three us to reconsider in-person ex- the number of grants that MFS hibits, in addition to delaying has received from this non- Virginia’s launch until 2021,” profit. The first, in 2015, al- said Lori. This virtual art ex- lowed MFS to build its Visitor hibit allows MFS to provide a Center inside the Bath Freight more multi-layered labeling of Shed, a 19th century railroad the images, incorporating a building on Commercial variety of voices, she said. Street. Virginia is being built

MFS wreaths for charity Maine's First Ship donated a wreath to the Midcoast Tree Festi- val that was auctioned off for charity. The fancy ropework orna- ments (the round ones are mostly a knot known as a "monkey's fist", the star-shaped ones are appropriately called "star knots") were crafted by riggers David Bellows, Mike Foster, Bob Ireland and Jim Nelson. The wreath itself was decorated by Lisa Nelson, and not the yahoo riggers, which is why it turned out so well. Maine’s First Ship: Reconstructing the pinnace Virginia Page 7

Virginia deck caulking, bulwarks, keel, windlass, rudder

Photos clockwise, start- ing in upper left: Paul C., Mark, and Fred pound Virginia’s rudder pieces into submission, pitch la- dle built by Jim Begin (who has also made our boring bars), Or- man and Jim P. roll oakum, Jere- my caulks oakum into the deck seams, Eloise does the same plus Gail pays the seams with pitch, and Joe adds planks to the bul- warks. Photo on page 8: Charlie and Jim A. hang the last piece of the lead keel! Maine’s First Ship: Reconstructing the pinnace Virginia MFS website updated The MFS Visitor Center is closed this MFS; you can also select the youtube icon winter, but you can keep track of what in the header. Maine’s First Ship is happening by visiting us virtually at Current Status shows a timeline PO Box 231 the mfship.org website. By selecting in text and pictures of the reconstruction

Bath ME 04530 one of the image buttons you can get of Virginia over the last year. This is fre- information about MFS, about the re- quently updated with new pictures. Select Ph: 207-443-4242 construction of Virginia, about the histo- one of the pictures to get a closer view. Visit Virginia at ry of the Pop- History shows a number of arti- ham Colony, or cles about the Popham Colony 27 Commercial Street you can take a and the original Virginia. Take a (on the water side of the virtual tour of look at Before Popham for Bath Freight Shed) the Bath Freight some context for the Popham Shed and Virginia Colony, and Original Docu- Like us on in the boat- ments to read some of the con- Facebook house. You can temporary sources. Keep up with our also see recent Virtual Tour is a 3D interactive progress on the web posts from the tour of the Bath Freight Shed www.mfship.org MFS facebook page. All of the pages are including the rigging and Visitor Center, full of pictures. Here are a few of the and of Virginia in the boathouse. That page things to try out: also has a button to show a 3D interactive Selecting the MFS logo gets you tour of Bath from above in all of its fall to the About Us page. When glory. If you have problems running these, there, Newsletters allows you to see get a young person to help you; both of previous versions of the MFS newslet- you will enjoy it. ter. Videos shows a set of videos about MFS in Maine Island Don’t forget to donate to MFS Even if you have not received an Annual Appeal letter from Maine’s Trail newsletter First Ship, we hope you will remember Virginia. Your donations Thanks to volunteer Jim Par- have made it possible for us to purchase an engine, the lead keel, mentier for his recent article oakum and pitch, a dock, and wood — so much wood! We are on Virginia, which appeared in grateful for your support as we look forward to a 2021 launch. the Maine Island Trail Associa- tion newsletter! mita.org Virginia’s lead keel