Art of the Virginia

The drawing of Virginia is one of the first done for Maine's First Ship.

This United States postage stamp was released in August 1957 to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the establishment of the Popham Colony, and to celebrate 350 years of shipbuilding in Maine.

Virginia Leaving a Maine Cove. This is the modified version showing tanbark sails.

The shallop Jane Stevens moored in the Kennebec on a calm, foggy morning.

Ballad of the historic Virginia of Sagadahoc

A stay mouse is part of the rigging used in 16th - 19th century wooden ships as a stopper to prevent an eye loop from getting too tight.

A sword mat is used as a cushion when two heavy wooden spars come in contact with one another.

This is a double block (pulley) and a grommet which is a rope formed into a circle. The grommet is used to tie the block to the rigging.

Virginia's sails are reinforced with rope which is handsewn in place by the sailmaker. At each corner this bolt rope is formed into a loop so the sail can be lashed to the spar.

17th century ships used a pulley system to hoist heavy spars. The part fixed on the deck is known as a knight, and is traditionally caved with a head. This head is that of Rob Stevens, Virginia's shipwright.

A plan of Fort St George drawn on October 8. 1607. At this time only a small portion of the fort had been completed. Some of the fort never was completed in the 14 months of the Popham Colony.