Bartholomew Gilbert facts for kids
Bartholomew Gilbert was an English captain and mariner. In 1602, he was a co-captain on an important trip. This trip was the first time Europeans explored Cape Cod. Sadly, his choices led to the trip failing to start a new settlement there.
Voyage to Cape Cod
Gilbert sailed on a small ship called The Concord. This ship left from Dartmouth, Devon, England. Their goal was to start a new settlement, or colony, in New England. Back then, this area was called Northern Virginia. It was thought to be part of the larger Colony of Virginia.
The main captain of The Concord was Bartholomew Gosnold. He was a very experienced sailor. Gosnold had sailed with Walter Raleigh before. He was also related to Gilbert through his father's family.
The Concord had 32 men on board. They sailed west from the Azores islands. In May 1602, they reached Cape Elizabeth in Maine. They sailed along the coast for a few days. On May 14, 1602, they anchored in York Harbor, Maine. The next day, they sailed into Provincetown Harbor. This is where they named Cape Cod.
They continued exploring the coastline. They found and visited Martha's Vineyard. They also entered Buzzard's Bay, which they called Gosnold's Hope. They set up a small base on Elizabeth's Island. Today, this island is known as Cuttyhunk Island. It is part of the town of Gosnold.
In 19 days, the crew built a fort and a storehouse. They started trading with the Massachusett people. They traded for furs, skins, and the sassafras plant. They also planted wheat, barley, and peas. In just 14 days, the young plants had grown over nine inches!
The plan was for Captain Gosnold and some crew to stay. They would start the new colony. Gilbert would return to Devon for more supplies. However, it turned out Gilbert had not brought enough food. The supplies they had would only last six weeks. Because of this, everyone decided to go back to England.
Their return trip was very fast, only five weeks. They landed at Exmouth on July 23. The goods they brought back made a lot of money. The sassafras plant alone sold for £336 per ton. This was a huge profit!
A man named John Brereton wrote about the voyage in 1602. His story helped make future trips popular. These trips aimed to explore and settle North America's northeast coast. Another account by Gabriel Archer was published much later. Even though the mission did not start a colony, it is remembered. Gilbert is even shown in the New World Tapestry.
Voyage to Virginia
In July 1603, Gilbert returned to the Americas. He anchored his ship in Chesapeake Bay. Gilbert and four crew members went ashore. They were looking for the missing people from the Roanoke Colony. On July 29, they met a group of Algonquians. Gilbert and his crew members were killed during this encounter.
The date of this landing is shown on the Seal of Northampton County, Virginia. The English did not successfully start their first colony in what is now the United States until 1607. This colony was Jamestown, Virginia.
