Shipshape for the Season

Along the James River, Jamestown Settlement’s re-created ships are primed for the summer season, ready for the thousands of visitors to climb aboard to learn about the 1607 voyage to Virginia.

The Susan Constant, flagship of the three square-rigged fleet, showcases new paint and the Godspeed and Discovery, new sets of sails.

A tedious effort was undertaken during the winter and spring to inspect the structure and stabilize the wood of the Susan Constant, now nearly 33 years old, and paint the hull of the ship. City Wide Decorators, which specializes in painting historic wooden structures, took on the job to paint the hull of the 120-ton ship and its inscribed decorations and the gallery on the ship’s stern.

The Godspeed and Discovery are ready for wind in their new sails, which were completed this spring by Latell & Ailsworth Sails in Deltaville, Virginia, and installed by Jamestown Settlement maritime, volunteer and interpretive staff. All sails are fabricated from Oceanus sail cloth, which is woven from polyester fiber to simulate natural canvas.

The Godspeed, scheduled to sail to Norfolk Harborfest® to join the Parade of Sail in June, sets six sails including the fore course, main course, spritsail, mizzen, fore topsail and