Virginia

Story

The pinnace Virginia was the first English ocean-going ship built in the Americas. It was built in 1607-1608 at the Popham Colony’s Fort St George located near the mouth of the Kennebec River. There were about 100 colonists (all men and boys) including a shipwright, Mr Digby of London. Virginia was built to aid in coastal exploration and fishing, but was repurposed when the colony was abandoned in October 1608 and was used to return some of the colonists to England. The building of Virginia is the beginning of Maine’s 400-year tradition of quality shipbuilding. After sailing to England in 1608, Virginia was sold to the Jamestown colony, and in 1609 crossed the Atlantic again.

Maine’s First Ship is a 51-foot reconstruction of the 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 and was launched on June 4, 2022. You can visit us in Bath Maine, come on one of our public sailings, or visit Virginia at one of our port visits.