(who was on route to become governor of Virginia) and whose skills at salvaging the desperate remnants of the floundering, which were to create the first Bermuda settlement, they oversaw the building of two ships, the Deliverance and the Patience, built from remnants of the Sea Venture and the local timber of the indigenous Cedar Tree.

When they finally managed to escape the island in May 1610, they carried with them 142 castaways, leaving just a handful behind to hold claim. They had a mission to fulfil, and a duty to perform.

They arrived at the Virginia colony in May 1610 finding it all but decimated through famine, instigated and enforced by the local tribes, who were resentful and hostile and had all but blockaded them. Only 60 settlers remained alive of the original 500 sent three years earlier.

Nevertheless, through the courage and endeavours of the hardy and convicted survivors of the Atlantic storm ten months earlier, the Jamestown colony survived. Those early settlers, watching the two ships slowly appear up the sound, must have thought salvation had come. It was the original thanksgiving.

This crucial episode in Jamestown's history tends to be overlooked. Had the storm of July 1609 succeeded in wiping out the supply fleet, by the time Lord De La Ware arrived in Jamestown without the prior timely advent of Somers, nothing would have remained.

It was only through the brave endeavours of Sir George Somers and his committed followers, which held and reinvigorated life into the dying colony. Somers, returning to Bermuda to collect more food, died on route. So enamoured with the island, he had asked for his heart to be buried there. Legend has it that his wish was honoured.

Perhaps he should also be honoured for saving Jamestown.

Learn more about this author, Bar De Ness.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

---

Add your voice

Know something about The founding of Jamestown?
We want to hear your view. Write now!