Jamestown

6. Susan Constant

Williamsburg, VA

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The Susan Constant was the largest of the three vessels. Captained by Christopher Newport, this ship transported 71 individuals on the voyage from England to the New World. The Susan Constant was about a year old at the time of the voyage, and had been leased by the Virginia Company of London from the firm of Dapper, Wheatley, Colthurst and other partners. The three ships spent six weeks battling storms in the English Channel before heading to the Canary Islands, where they replenished their supplies of food and water. Next, they traveled to the West Indies. One of the settlers, Edward Brooks, died on the island of Mona in the West Indies, most likely from heat stroke. They entered the Chesapeake Bay on April 26th, and began building a protective fence called a palisade at Jamestown on May 14th. Captain Newport and the Susan Constant returned to England around the middle of June after construction on the palisade was completed.