Ballad of the Popham Expedition

James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603. He encouraged expeditions to establish settlements in Virginia, as the English then called North America. In 1607 two colonies were begun, Jamestown in Virginia and Popham in Maine. The northern expedition was undertaken by the Plymouth Company, financed by John Popham, then in his eighties, and led by his nephew, George, who was in his sixties. Raleigh Gilbert, at twenty three, was second in command. Since much of the forest in Great Britain and Ireland had been cut, the Plymouth Company wanted to publicise the wealth of timber in New England. They brought with them a London shipwright, Digby, who laid the keel for the Virginia four days after the expedition landed. During the winter of 1607-08 Digby and about forty five men built the thirty ton pinnace. The Virginia is recorded as the first European ship to be built in North America. She crossed the Atlantic at least twice. She eventually sailed to Jamestown where she was used as a fishing boat. A replica of this vessel is under construction in Bath, Maine, with an anticipated launch in June of 2021. See mfship.org for further information While Jamestown had a mortality rate approaching 90% there were only two fatalities in Popham. One was George Popham and the mantle of leadership fell on young Gilbert. After spending the winter on the frozen coast of Maine and provoking the local natives to hostility they were no doubt relieved to see their supply ship arrive the next summer. With the news that not only their patron, the well-connected John Popham had died, but also Raleigh’s elder brother, John, their fort was torched to keep it from falling into French hands and Raleigh Gilbert sailed home to claim his inheritance. The site of the Popham Colony was lost until 1994. There was extensive archaeology done there over the course of fifteen years. Among the finds was a crystal beaded cartouche which is visible in a portrait of Raleigh Gilbert done before the Popham adventure. The guitar is a 10-string baroque guitar I built in 2005 with way too much inlay, tied-on frets and a wedding cake rosette.   Lyrics When King James wore the English crown Two ships sailed forth from Plymouth town. The Gift of God and Mary & John To Virginia made their way. George Popham was the leader then And with him there went six-score men To build a fort on the northern strand And for the winter stay. Using tools of the proper sort They built a house and a sturdy fort Their brave adventure to support And a colony to begin. Then Raleigh Gilbert looked, it seemed, Up every river, brook and stream The Northwest Passage was the dream Would all their fortunes win. And as they viewed the woods around The oaks and pine there did abound The like of which had not been found In England for many a year. There was among those hardy wights* *persons of a specified kind One shipwright, Digby he was hight.* *named He laid a keel by the water bright To build a pinnace* there. *small ship As autumn's days began to wane Their two ships sailed back home again, Leaving forty-five brave men There by the ocean side. Scarce one month or two was past Before the winter's icy blast Brought great hardship, cold and frost. Twas then George Popham died. The colonists were in great need When young Gilbert took the lead; Strong of will and rash of deed, And whether 'twas right or wrong, With haughty mien* he sent his men *attitude To fight the local Indians For food and firewood ran out then As winter lingered long Yet doughty Digby labored on The beams were hewed and planks were sawn. The pinnace frame was raised anon, A ship of thirty tuns. The hull was planked, the seams were caulked, The mast was stepped, spars rigged aloft. The sails were bent when she was launched; Virginia was done! But they had barely rigged the clews* *corners of the sails When a ship came there and brought sad news John Popham had died; John Gilbert, too, But Raleigh was his heir. He burned Fort St. George to the ground For fear by France it might be found. To Compton Castle was Gilbert bound, To friends and family there. Two ships the wide Atlantic crossed. The Popham colony was lost. The Plymouth Company bore the cost But all was not in vain. Virginia also made the trip, The first of many wooden ships Crafted and launched down the slips All on the coast of Maine.