Crew learns the ropes of Jamestown ship

The 17th-century replica ship Godspeed plies the James River to train some of the 100 volunteers who will sail the vessel to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Jamestown. (STEVE HELBER / AP)

ABOARD THE GODSPEED — Many of the paid crew and volunteers aboard the Godspeed have sailed other replicas of 17th-century ships. Still, when it comes to handling the more than 100 lines that control its sails and heeding orders such as "avast on the port sheet" and "clew up the spritsail," a refresher couldn't hurt.

So the Godspeed, a re-creation of one of the three ships that brought America's first permanent English settlers to Virginia, made some short practice sails before it embarks on a promotional East Coast tour today.

"To me it looked like everyone picked it right up and learned the ropes on the new Godspeed, and we're ready for our voyage," Capt. Eric Speth said after a training sail last week.

Passengers on a James River ferry glimpsed the replica Godspeed as it sailed past the spot where the settlers landed on May 13, 1607 — 13 years before the Pilgrims arrived at what is now Plymouth, Mass.

"Clear the deck lines and head aloft," Speth shouted between cupped hands as the ship got under way. "Aye!" crew members responded.

The "Godspeed Sail" is among a series of events planned for the 400th anniversary of Jamestown. The ship's first stop will be Saturday in Alexandria, Va., and later, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and Newport, R.I.

The ship will be accompanied by a free "Landing Party" with live performances, and at each port, the Godspeed's crew will dress in historical costume. While the ship is in "museum mode," modern navigational equipment and amenities such as a shower will be hidden to preserve the 17th-century atmosphere.

Because there are no known illustrations or blueprints of the Godspeed or its sister ships, the ship was built based on the design of other early 17th-century ships and documentation that the original Godspeed could carry 40 tons of cargo and passengers.

Still, there's no denying that the men and boys who sailed the Atlantic for nearly five months to get to the New World endured unpleasant conditions, with the 13 crew members working on the deck and the 39 passengers stuck in the cargo hold with barrels of supplies, with the hatch sealed shut during foul weather.

"It had to get pretty rank," said Noel Veden, a retired insurance broker who is cook on the Godspeed.