Maryland Dove facts for kids
The 17th Century English merchantmen pinnace Maryland Dove at St. Mary's City, Maryland, constructed for state 350th Anniversary, 1975-1978.
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| Name | Maryland Dove |
| Owner | State of Maryland |
| Operator | Historic St. Mary's City Commission |
| Ordered | 1975 |
| Builder | James B. Richardson, shipyard, Cambridge, Dorchester County, Maryland |
| Laid down | 1975 |
| Launched | August 14, 1978 |
| Commissioned | October 8, 1978 |
| Decommissioned | January 17, 2023 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 40 |
| Length | 76 feet (23 meters) overall, and 56 ft (17 m) on deck. |
| Beam | 17 ft (5.2 m) |
| Draft | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Propulsion |
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The Maryland Dove is a special ship. It is a modern copy of a 17th-century English trading ship called the Dove. This original Dove was one of two ships that brought the first settlers from England to the new Province of Maryland.
The Dove was a smaller trading ship. It needed only about seven crew members. The other ship, The Ark, was much bigger. It carried passengers and needed 40 or more crew. The original Dove stayed in Maryland. It helped trade goods between Maryland and other early colonies.
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The 1978 Maryland Dove
The first replica, or copy, of the Dove was built in 1978. It was 56 feet (17 meters) long on its deck. Overall, it measured 76 feet (23 meters). This ship was built by James B. Richardson. His shipyard was near Cambridge, Maryland.
The 1978 Maryland Dove called St. Mary's City, Maryland its home port. The State of Maryland owned the ship. The Historic St. Mary's City Commission took care of it. Captain Thomas Doyle was its first licensed master. He took charge on October 8, 1978.
Over time, the 1978 Maryland Dove started to wear out. So, a new ship was planned in 2019. The new ship was launched in 2022. It then took on the name Maryland Dove. The 1978 ship was taken out of the water in 2023. Its future is still being decided.
The New Maryland Dove
A brand new Maryland Dove was built because the 1978 ship was getting old. Its construction started on June 1, 2019. Naval architect Iver Franzen designed this new ship.
Here are some facts about the new Maryland Dove:
- Length Overall: 84 feet (25.6 meters)
- Length on Deck: 57 feet (17.4 meters)
- Length at Waterline: 51 feet (15.5 meters)
- Beam (width): 17 feet (5.2 meters)
- Draft (how deep it sits in water): 7 feet (2.1 meters)
- Height of Main Mast: 64 feet (19.5 meters)
- Sail Area: 2,019 square feet (187.6 square meters)
- Power: 2 John Deere, 4-cylinder, PowerTech 4.5L engines
The new ship was built at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum shipyard. This is in St. Michael's, Maryland. People could watch the ship being built. This allowed them to see every step of the project. You can find more information about the project online at www.MarylandDove.org. The new Maryland Dove was finished and given to Historic St. Mary's City on August 29, 2022.
The Original Ships: The Ark and Dove
The very first trip from England to the new colony of Maryland was led by Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore. He lived from 1605 to 1675. This journey used two ships. They were The Ark and the Dove. These ships used to belong to his father, George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore.
The two ships left Gravesend, England, in October 1633. They had 128 settlers on board. The British Royal Navy stopped them. The settlers had to promise loyalty to the King of England. This was a law. After that, they sailed to the Isle of Wight. This island is between England and France. There, they picked up more settlers.
At the Isle of Wight, Dove and The Ark took on more people. They added two Jesuit priests and almost 200 more settlers. Then, they set sail across the Atlantic.
Lord Baltimore could not lead the trip himself. So, he sent detailed instructions for the new colony. He made his younger brother, Leonard Calvert, the first colonial governor. His instructions included finding out about anyone who tried to stop the colony. He also told them to talk to William Claiborne. Claiborne had settled on Kent Island in the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore wanted to know his plans for his trading post there.
The instructions also stressed religious tolerance. This meant that Catholics and Protestants should get along. There were almost equal numbers of both groups among the colonists. With these important instructions, the expedition sailed for the Americas.
The two ships reached Point Comfort in Virginia on February 24, 1634. On March 25, they landed at what is now St. Mary's City, Maryland. This was once a Native American village. They began building their settlement there. The land for St. Mary's was bought from the native Yaocomico people.
Back in England, Lord Baltimore faced challenges. He could not do much to help the young colony. There was a fight with Claiborne. This led to small naval battles. Lord Baltimore remained Maryland's first Proprietor. This meant he owned and governed the colony. He tried to stay involved in its rule. However, he never actually visited Maryland. He governed through people he appointed. His only son, Charles, was the last of these deputies.
