On November 28, 2001, Eric Johnson, Eric <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Subject: Colonial Virginia Ships

> Last month we had a delightful and informative discussion about early
> colonial ships into Jamestown and the passengers they carried.  I'm
actually
> interested in finding out what I can about the ships themselves--naval
> architecture: size, type, etc.--that may have carried my ancestors into
> early colonial Virginia and Pennsylvania.  Does anybody know of a
> comprehensive resource to which I could turn to find out more about ships
> themselves, such as any construction plans or other records?

Well, besides the obvious choice of the Library of Virginia ...
I would recommend the following maritime resources:

Mariners Museum, Newport News, Virginia
www.mariner.org
Nice library, but not that many volumes.
Staff are friendly and helpful.

National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, England
www.nmm.ac.uk
Entry to the library is free, although there is a fee for the museum.
Staff have in-depth knowledge, they express sincere interest in your
project, they will suggest additional resources for you to check, etc.  You
get personal and prompt attention.  All in all, a wonderful experience.

The British Library, St. Pancras, London, England
www.bl.uk
You'll need a "Reader's Card" to use any of the facilities, and they can be
difficult to obtain.  They prefer that you do your research elsewhere, if
the materials are readily available, as they are actually considered a
library of last resort.  That having been said, however, they have
everything ever published in the UK, and more.  Point of fact:  they have
the world's largest collection of pornography.  By law, all UK publishers
are required to send a free copy to them of everything and anything printed
or otherwise reproduced.  When you submit a call slip, it could take days
for the item to arrive.  The staff are generally swamped and cannot offer
personal attention.  And HRH Prince Charles hates the architecture (he
called it a "carbuncle"). Actually, it's quite comfortable inside, with
great reader's tables, superb lighting, a laptop power point at each table,
ample storage lockers, a well-stocked book shop, a restaurant and cafe, and
mind-boggling items on display in the exhibition halls (a tourist attraction
in itself).

Of course, your mileage may vary.

______________________________
H. Glenn James, MAI
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