Blessing of the Bay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
England
Name	Blessing of the Bay
Owner	John Winthrop
Builder	Robert Molton, Mistick (now Medford, Massachusetts)
Launched	July 4, 1631
General characteristics
Class and type	Barque
Tons burthen	30 tons

The Blessing of the Bay was a very important ship built a long time ago. It was the second ship made for ocean travel in what is now the United States. The first was the Virginia, built in 1607. This ship helped the early settlers in Massachusetts explore and trade along the coast. It played a big part in connecting the new colonies.

Building the Blessing of the Bay

The Blessing of the Bay was a ship that weighed about 30 tons. It was either a type of barque or a pinnace. These were kinds of sailing ships used for trade and travel. The ship was mostly built from strong locust tree wood. Some people thought it was a "bark" because that word was used for many sailing ships back then.

This special ship was built for John Winthrop. He was the governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The ship was built in a place called Mistick, which is now Medford, Massachusetts. Robert Molton and other skilled shipbuilders worked on it. They were sent to New England in 1629. The Blessing of the Bay was launched on July 4, 1631. Anthony Dike was its first captain.

Trading Along the Coast

The Blessing of the Bay was built to help the Massachusetts Colony. Governor Winthrop wanted it to open up trade with the Dutch settlers. These Dutch settlers lived at the mouth of the Hudson River. This area is now New Amsterdam (New York City). The ship also traded with other places along the coast.

The ship started its first voyage on August 31, 1631. It regularly sailed along the New England coast. It went around Cape Cod and Long Island. It also visited the Dutch on Manhattan Island. The ship carried things like salt and maple sugar from New England. In return, it brought back molasses and sugar from the West Indies. It also carried spices and tea that Dutch ships brought from far-off lands.

A Close Call with Pirates

On November 21, 1632, Governor Winthrop had a meeting. He talked with Captain Neal about using a ship like the Blessing of the Bay. They wanted to catch a pirate named Dixie Bull. But bad weather stopped them from chasing the pirate.

Captain Anthony Dike, who lived in Salem, had a scary experience. He was once captured by the pirate Bull. Luckily, he managed to escape. Governor Winthrop wrote in his journal about Captain Dike. He said Captain Dike's ship was "cast away" near Cape Cod. Three people died from the cold. But two others managed to make a fire. They lived for seven weeks by eating what they had saved. An Indian person eventually found them.

The Ship's Disappearance

The Blessing of the Bay traded for only a short time. After a while, it disappeared. It's possible that this was the ship sent by Governor Winthrop to Virginia in 1633. That ship was carrying fish and furs. It was wrecked near its destination.