Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-04-25
Castaways Of Long Ago.

|
On fine day in May, 1909 inst
two years after the landing Of the first
settlers at jamestown, Va feet OF
niue vessels. carrying 500 passengers
of all ages. men. women and children,
set sail from EnSl aud bound for the
new colony IN Virgins, far away across
the western ocean.
T feet was under the command
of Capt. Christopher Newport, and on
Newport's vessel were Sir Thomas
Gates, the newly appointed Lieuten-
ant Cover or Of the jamestown Colo
ny, and Sir George Somers. who was
an admiral aud was to assist in the gov
eminent of the colony and look after
the navy.
The niue vessels made good head
way, and nothing occurred TO mar the
pleasure of the summer journey until
they were within eight days Of their
destination, when they were caught
in the tail of a hurricane, and the Sea
Venture, with Newport, Gates and
Somsrs and $50 persons aboard, be.
came separated from the remainder Of
the feet and, after being torn and
shaken by the storm, sprsnk leak.
The plight Of the colonists became
grievous an hope bad well.uigb been
abandoned VIII land was sighted. aud
on the summit Of a mighty wave their
vessel was lodged between the lodges
on the rocky 81 ore, and the storm.
beaten voyagers landed on one Of the
Bermuda Islands, which were then
part Of Virginia, although several hun
dred miles of the Virginia coast.
Here the colony lived for nearly
year as csstaways npon a beautiful
but uninhabited land. Food they had
in plenty-6sh. turtle and wild fowl
and store, from the ship. Huts were
built aud the SHIPS bell was brought
to land AMI used as call to worship,
morning and evening.
There were marriages. two children
were born and six persons died
among them being the wife Of Adj
mirsl Somers OF the two BIRTH, a
boy and girl, one was named Der
mudas and the other Bermuda. Der.
muds was the daughter Of John Role.
the colonist, who after the death OF
bis wife in jamestown married Poca-
hontas, the IDdian princess.
| Altogether, the lot Of the cssts.
ways was not an unpleasant one. but
nevertheless they strained their eyes
in the dlrectioI Of the Virginia coast
to catch the glimpse of sail that
oever came. Almost year went by
and as the chance Of rescue seemed
hopeless two small barks were con.
structed from the cedars OF the Der.
muda forests and the portions Of the
wreck Of the Sea Venture. and upon
these, which were named Deliverspcs
aud Patience, the colonists embarked
and on the Oath day Of May. 1910
they sailed into Hampton Ro4ds and
passed along the dte where the James
town Terc ntennial. in commemora'
ton Of the founding Of jamestown. il
to open April %
Proceeding up the James river. theJ
arrived at jamestown AMI found thai
their companions Of the feet which
left England year before had reach
ed the colony msnv months Tfeviou.
never again expecting TO see tbs pas
sengers Of the SEA Vsotare.
The story Of this 'hipwreck. as re
ported 10 England, gave rise TO many
literary productions.incIading Shakes
! pssrs's Tempest. and the supersti
tious tales which the getaways told 0
the haunted islands Of 'ths vext Der
mOothss" upon which dwslt "in al
enchanted den the furies which al
meo did shun as perdition," gave IN
scene Of Pro.psro pr4cticing dis Magic
while "witches lowered 10 the air sns
vanished"