Maine's First Ship - Virginia
Photo: Jim Howe Photography
Even as colonial settlers struggled to get a foothold in the Popham Colony, they managed to construct the first English ocean-going vessel in the new world, the pinnacle Virginia. Built in 1607-1608 at the mouth of the Kennebec River in what is now Phippsburg, the ship was a project of the Plymouth Company. Not many details are known about the construction of the ship, but historic records suggest the ship was approximately 50 feet long.
Virginia was built to aid in coastal exploration and fishing but ultimately became a way back to England when the colony was abandoned in October 1608. After returning to British soil, Virginia was sold to the Jamestown colony, and in 1609 crossed the Atlantic again. The last historical record of Virginia was June 1610 when Captain Robert Tyndall was directed to take Virginia to catch fish in the Chesapeake Bay between Cape Henry and Cape Charles.
Maine’s First Ship is a 51-foot reconstruction of Virginia that meets Coast Guard requirements, allowing it to be used as a floating classroom for students of all ages.
Virginia was built by a crew of volunteers in and around the Bath Freight Shed, launching on June 4, 2022. You can visit the ship in Bath, go on one of their public sailings, or visit Virginia on one of their port visits.
