Directions

 

Local Partners:

Deltaville Maritime Museum

Reedville Fishermen's Museum

 

Fishing Bay Yacht Club

 

Deltaville Community Association

Virtual Voyage

2007 Voyage Main Page

Deltaville, Virginia
August 25 & 26, 2007
Shallop arrives afternoon of 25th
Hours: 10am - 4pm

The John Smith shallop will arrive at the Fishing Bay Yacht Club in Deltaville to participate in the commemoration of John Smith's 1608 infamous visit to Stingray Point.  Gathering in Deltaville will be the three replica shallops that have been constructed on the Chesapeake Bay, including examples from the Deltaville Maritime Museum and the Reedville Fishermen's Museum.  This event is open to the public.  Admission is free.


On July 17, 1608, John Smith and his crew were fishing in the shallows of the Chesapeake Bay, spearing fish on the points of their swords. When Smith unknowingly spears a cow-nose ray and attempts to pull it off of his sword, its barbed tail sinks into his wrist, causing immediate pain and considerable swelling of his torso and arms. Smith, fearing the worst, instructs his crewmembers to dig him a grave, but recovers enough within a few hours to eat the stingray for dinner. Smith names the location "Stingray Point" after his painful experience.
View John Smith's original map