July 4th celebrations with Virginia are art in the making. Each year since its launch in 2022 has been an opportunity to see Virginia’s silhouette through the spectacle of celebratory fireworks.
In 1607 adventure and wealth seeking explorers under grants from the English king explored Maine. Under direction of “one Digby of London,” the Popham Colony built this ship to return to England when the colony was abandoned in 1608.
This group then sold Virginia to the London Company where she became part of the Jamestown colony supply chain moving goods in coastal waterways.
Virginia became significant because both transatlantic voyages were documented. Clear proof of the earliest ship construction in the Americas taking place in Maine.
This July 4th is the 250th anniversary of the USA. Virginia will be in home port entertaining guests during Bath’s Heritage Days fireworks. Bath has a 400 year long ship building history that started with Virginia of Sagadahoc.
Virginia Reconstructed
Virginia is a well researched reconstruction. Under leadership of shipwright Rob Stevens (whose photo can be found here), more than one hundred volunteers helped make this happen. Her chevrons and distinctive tan bark sails make her a photo favorite. She became a welcomed member of the Tall Ships fleet and will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the USA by sailing to Boston to participate in the Parade of Ships. The First Sail adventure photo I took of her was also published in the ships directory of Sail Boston2026..
As the oldest and newest member of that fleet, Virginia has caught the attention well beyond Maine. I have covered the construction and growth of the organization originally known as The Virginia Project. Today it is better known as Maine’s First Ship.
While I have photographed this project for nine years, I also began volunteering as a member five years ago. I too have been drawn in by the magic of this ship and the people who make up the organization behind it.
View a series of images of Virginia after its June 4, 2022 launch in this collection from my my photography show, Moods of Virginia. The show had 53 different photographs of Maine’s First Ship in various stages of construction and sail testing. I created this show as a homage to the hundreds of volunteers who built and launched Maine’s First Ship.
VIEW this short video of what it is like to be aboard Virginia while it is sailing.
SUPPORT Maine’s First Ship – become a member of their 501c3 non-profit.