Rematch Planned for the John Smith Cup
Plans are being finalized for another three shallop rendezvous between Deltaville's Explorer, Reedville's Spirit, and the Sultana Projects' replica. Last year the three shallops raced in Annapolis Harbor for the right to bring home a beautiful trophy. This prize, the John Smith Cup, is a half-model of a shallop carved by shipwright John Swain and mounted on a piece of the 400-year-old Wye Oak. Much to the chagrin of the Explorer crew, the Reedville shallop, powered by the Irish Rowing Club of Annapolis, handily won the race. Nobody could grumble about the ringers brought in to row Spirit as it was agreed at the start there were no rules, but Deltaville's team was hot to have a rematch.
The proposed site for this year's race is Historic St. Mary City, MD. On June 20th, St. Mary's will celebrate Maryland's 375th birthday with skipjack rides, tours of the Maryland Dove, dancing, fireworks and a concert at St. Mary's College - all free. Some time during the day-long celebration, sponsors hope to have another shallop race.
Tim Barrett, from the Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail, called in late March to see if Deltaville would come to another rendezvous. The museum accepted with details to follow.
Rendezvous of the John Smith Shallops
400th Anniversary Celebration
This public event, held August 25-26, 2007, was hosted by the Fishing Bay Yacht Club and the Deltaville Community Association to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the first English settlement in the New World and the epic voyage of exploration and discovery by Captain John Smith and his shallop crew to chart the Chesapeake Bay.
This celebration brought together three shallops built by the Deltaville Maritime Museum, the Reedville Fisherman's Museum and the John Smith Four Hundred Project/Sultana Projects, Chestertown, MD. In conjunction with National Geographic Magazine, these three institutions hosted interactive displays explaining their interpretation of the shallops that were constructed.
Additional information may remain online at Captain John Smith 400 Project and Fishing Bay Yacht Club.
Email contact: Bob Kates