Thursday, April 10, 2014

The arrival of the Englishmen....

Thursday already!  How is the week going where you are?

In the previous post, I mentioned that this one would deal with the arrival of the Englishmen.  You know, more than one boat sailed across the ocean.  There were three that came together.

The Susan Constant!

Specifications of the ship.


The Susan Constant was the largest of the three. 

The Discovery was the name of another.

The Godspeed was the other.


A costumed interpreter on the Godspeed.


A map shows the route of the voyage.

The interpreter explains the importance of the dish of butter.

When the voyage set out from England, the temperature was very cold.  There was a dish with cold butter in it.  The ships had the instruction to sail south "until the butter melts," then turn to the west.  The map of the route of the voyage indicates several stops before reaching the area that became Jamestown. 

This was such an interesting portion of the area that we spent over an hour touring the three ships and listening to the interpreters!  I haven't even touched on Fort James, and Friday is usually when I do a book feature.  That means Fort James will be delayed until next week.  I do hope you will return.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.  

14 comments:

  1. oh my gosh that is amazing I had never heard of the butter dish me5hod, wow! I would love to see this, the whole thing looks so well done,

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is amazing to me that any of those ships actually made it all the way across the ocean without any of the modern navigational devices that are used these days! Great history lesson here, taught in a way that people can really understand. Thank you for sharing. By the way, I'm reading that today is National Siblings Day, so I will wish you a happy one, Sister! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've been to Williamsburg, but not to Jamestown. Definitely have it on my to visit list. Enjoying your posts and you know I will be back next week.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is fantastic I think I would have stayed a long time on the boats too.
    What a fun trip. My boys Spring break starts today. I am always so happy when they are out of school.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wonder if I had any ancestors on those voyages? Could be! I do know of one that came over on the Mayflower.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nellie, I love this post !! Who would have thought a stick of butter could have been the first GPS..:):) That is a great story. I love the costumes too. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

    ReplyDelete
  7. How interesting. Imagine butter being used as a GPS!!! What a wonderful fact that is. Love to go to historical things that feature costumed actors- xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very interesting post Nellie. i never heard of the sailing by butter thing before.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very interesting. It has been a long time since I visited Jamestown. Looking forward to more of your posts.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I can't even imagine what it must have been like travel across the sea in those ships.

    How is my week going. Fast!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Nellie , this is an interesting post ... I would love to take my kids this summer .... I think hubby and I will take them ... thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love these kinds of adventures! History is awesome:)

    Leann

    ReplyDelete
  13. Another very interesting post Nellie. So much to see and to learn from the interpreters. Makes you realize what courage it took to set sail from home, in such small ships with a dish of butter to help navigate!

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a fun tour. I've never heard of the butter dish method for directions. Fascinating and gorgeous boats.

    ReplyDelete