Social Studies Field Trips

By the time two small wooden sailing ships lifted anchor, on the 22nd day of November, 1633, and set sail from Cowes, Isle of Wight, England, much planning already had been done. Cecil Calvert, the organizer of the venture, was sending people to establish the English colony of Maryland on the North American coast. He did not want to repeat any of the mistakes made by earlier groups, such as the colonists at Jamestown and Plymouth, and so he made sure his travelers were well prepared.

He carefully chose people who were important to the success of the colony: farmers to grow food, carpenters and brick layers to build houses, shipbuilders, blacksmiths, even soldiers for protection. Among the colonists were two Jesuits priests. It is from the writings of Father Andrew White that we have learned so much about the voyage of the Ark and Dove, as well as the early years of settlement in Maryland.

As part of the planning, the Calverts carefully selected and stored barrels of flour, meat, dried vegetables, water, beer, sugar, salt, vinegar, and other food stuff. The colonists had to take enough food, not only for the long voyage, but to keep the settlement alive in case no other food was found when they arrived.

Clothing for everyone, for both summer and winter, was packed. Seeds, roots, and plant cuttings were stored for planting fields and gardens. Many kinds of tools were taken for home and furniture construction, farming, building fortifications, and even making small boats. The ships were armed with cannon for protection at sea from pirates. Guns, knives, and swords were brought for protection and hunting when they reached land. Even trade goods were packed for trading with Native Americans.

All of these provisions were stored on board so they took up as little space as possible and in such a way that food-related items would not spoil. Between space for supplies and living accommodations for approximately 200 men and women, the little ships were quite full.

One lesson the Calvert family had learned from earlier ventures was correct timing. The voyage left England in the fall so that the band of colonists would arrive in North America in the spring. This way they would have time to grow food before the following winter and would not need warm houses for several months.

Finally, the two ships set sail. They would not travel directly westward toward Maryland. Instead, a southwesterly course was set, with planned stops at the Canary Islands and then the Cape Verde Islands off the west coast of Africa, then west across the Atlantic Ocean to Barbados Island in the Caribbean. These would be stepping stones across the vast Atlantic, and the route should give them favorable winds. From the calmer waters of the Caribbean, the ships planned to sail northward up the coast of North America, with a stop in Virginia before proceeding to Maryland.

Not long after going to sea, the Ark and Dove were swept by a terrible storm. At midnight, the Dove signaled that it was in distress. So fierce were the wind and waves, however, that the Ark could not help. When dawn came, the Dove had disappeared.

The Ark sailed on alone. The ship reached Barbados on January 3, 1634. As the passengers and crew rested and gathered fresh water and food supplies, the Dove appeared on the horizon. The smaller vessel had turned back to the English harbor and waited out the storm before continuing on. All were united again.

On February 27, both ships arrived off of Point Comfort, Virginia and visited the colonists at Jamestown. They bought pigs, cows, and other needed supplies. Soon they set sail up the Chesapeake Bay, bound for the Potomac River and Maryland. People crowded the decks anxious to get their first glimpse of Maryland and its forests, birds, and Indians.

At a small island then called St. Clement's (today called Blakistone) they went ashore, set up a large cross, and gave thanks for their safe arrival. The date was March 25, 1634 which we celebrate today as Maryland Day.

The settlers were not yet able to set up their homes but their long four month sea voyage was ended. Their next new venture was to begin.

Written by Dawn Thomas, Coordinator, Elementary Social Studies
© Montgomery County Public Schools, 1996.