Transatlantic Ships Old and New: 'Discovery' Returns To the UK after 400 Years

A 38ft replica of the 17th century ship Discovery, the ship which played a major part in the founding of the American state of Virginia, is being carried across the Atlantic Ocean to Britain on the flight deck of Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort Rosalie.

The original Discovery was one of three ships ('Susan Constant', the 'Godspeed' and the 'Discovery'),  sent by the London Virginia Company on December 19, 1606 to embark on a 4 1/2 month voyage to the New World.

In April 1607 the three ships entered Chesapeake Bay, sailed up a broad waterway, which they named the James River in honour of King James, and a few weeks later selected an island on which to settle. They called their settlement Jamestown. To the territory itself they gave a more romantic name, honouring Queen Elizabeth, they called the region Virginia, the first permanent English-speaking settlement in America and which became one of the first 13 United States of America.

The replica of the Discovery was berthed in Jamestown for many years before Fort Rosalie was asked to bring her to the UK as part of the preparations to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the landing.

Fort Rosalie’s Commanding Officer, Captain Ian Gough RFA, said: “The Discovery sailed under the command of Captain John Ratcliffe and carried 21 of the 105 settlers to Virginia. Now, nearly 400 years on it is a great privilege and challenge for Fort Rosalie to bring the replica of the original vessel back to the UK to take part in the 400th anniversary of the event.

“The whole ship’s company are pleased to be a part of history and many of them are making plans to visit Discovery at some of the locations around Britain where it will serve as a travelling museum.”