Jean Habermehl
Extra Credit Report
Jamestown Settlement Virginia
4/17/07
In 1606 CE, 144 men and boys sponsored by the Virginia Company boarded 3 ships, the Susan Constant, the Discovery, and the Godspeed and sailed to the Americas in hopes of finding the same success the Spaniards discovered, especially in their discovery of gold. They sailed past the Canary Islands, through the Caribbean, and reached the new world of what is now the Common Wealth of Virginia. It was a long journey, and along the way 40 men perished and the original settlement began with 104 men. Interestingly, the names of the leaders of the settlement and the inland location of the settlement were sealed by the Virginia Company, and not to be opened until arrival at the settlement. The men were told to find an area that would provide defense from other invaders. From the Chesapeake Bay they traveled slightly up the James River to "James Towne" named in honor of King James I. During the voyage to the Americas, Captain John Smith, was charged with mutiny by Captain Christopher Newport and was scheduled to be hanged upon arrival at the colony. His life was spared when the seal of orders from the Virginia Company was broken it was discovered, Captain Smith had been chosen by the Virginia Company to be on the original governing council. The place where the men landed was marshy and the water not drinkable. They also encountered attacks from the near by Native American Indians. Most of the original settlers died. In speaking with the tour guide, the average life expectancy of the settlers was 14 months. After arriving at the settlement, the men struggled to quickly erect a church, a storage house, ...