Susan Constant facts for kids
Replica of Susan Constant (built 1989)
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| England | |
| Name | Susan Constant (or Sarah Constant) |
| Owner | Virginia Company of London |
| In service | before 1607 |
| Out of service | after 1615 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 120 |
| Length | est. 116 ft (35 m) |
| Sail plan | fully rigged ship |
The Susan Constant (sometimes called Sarah Constant) was the biggest of three ships that sailed to America in 1606-1607. Led by Captain Christopher Newport, this ship, along with the Discovery and Godspeed, helped the English Virginia Company start the first permanent English settlement in North America, Jamestown.
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The Journey to Jamestown
The Susan Constant was a ship that weighed about 120 tons. It was quite long, estimated to be around 116 feet from one end to the other.
Who Sailed on the Ship?
On its important trip in 1606-1607, the Susan Constant carried 71 male colonists. One famous person on board was the explorer John Smith.
Returning to England
After helping to establish the new settlement, Captain Christopher Newport sailed back to London. He took the Susan Constant and the Godspeed with him on June 22, 1607. They carried what they thought were valuable minerals. The 104 colonists stayed behind with the Discovery ship, which they used to explore the area.
What Happened to the Ship?
The Susan Constant was a ship that was rented for this voyage. It was usually used to carry goods. After its trip to Jamestown, it never returned to Virginia. The ship continued to work as a merchant ship, carrying goods for trade, until at least 1615. What happened to it after that is not known.
What Was Its Real Name?
Some old documents suggest the ship's name might have actually been Sarah Constant. This idea came from an early record that seemed to use this name. It made some people think that Samuel Purchas, who wrote a book called Pilgrims, might have gotten the name wrong. More and more people now believe the name Sarah Constant could be correct.
An Old Quote About the Name
An old document, possibly written by Sir Walter Raleigh, mentions the ships:
He told me of three barques on route to the New World, those whose names are, as he told me thereon, be consisted of Godspeed, Discoverie or Discovery, and one whose name split twice, I think was Sarah Constant.
Replicas of the Ships
Today, you can see copies of the Susan Constant and its sister ships, Godspeed and Discovery. These replica ships are docked in the James River at Jamestown Settlement. This area is right next to Historic Jamestown, where the original settlement was founded.
The Susan Constant in Pop Culture
In Movies and Stamps
The Susan Constant appears in the 1995 animated movie Pocahontas. In the film, Governor Ratcliffe is shown as the captain. However, in real life, Captain Christopher Newport was the captain of the Susan Constant. Governor Ratcliffe actually captained the Discovery.
In May 2007, the United States Postal Service released a new 41-cent stamp. This stamp featured an image of all three ships: the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery.
On a State Quarter
The Susan Constant was also shown on Virginia's coin as part of the 50 State Quarters program. This was done to celebrate the important history of Jamestown.
