Winter Lecture: Exploring the Water Trail of Capt. John Smith

John Page Williams will discuss how Capt. John Smith and his crews covered some 3,000 miles over 30 months (April, 1607 – October, 1609), rowing and sailing the 30′ Discovery Barge. The map Capt. Smith published in Oxford, England, in 1612 was the first accurate guide to the Chesapeake and its tidal rivers. It opened up the bay to English settlers who colonized both Virginia and Maryland in the seventeenth century. In 2006, the National Park Service incorporated Smith’s explorations into the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, which is open for exploration by boats ranging from kayaks, canoes, and skiffs to trawlers and cruising sailboats.

The 2019 Winter Lecture Series at the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park will be held on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. from January 10 to February 28. You will be challenged to question and to learn by engaging speakers on eight diverse topics including maritime history, local history, science and maritime art. The schedule for 2019 is available here.