John Smith Explores the Chesapeake Captain John Smith National Historic Trail - Accokeek, MD
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 38° 41.712 W 077° 03.947
18S E 320346 N 4284978
Captain John Smith explored the Chesapeake Bay in the early 1600s seeking precious metals and a passage to Asia. He traveled the James, Chickahominy, and York rivers in 1607, and led two major expeditions from Jamestown in 1608.
Waymark Code: WM1200M
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 01/19/2020
Views: 3
Captain John Smith explored the Chesapeake Bay in the early 1600s seeking precious metals and a passage to Asia. He traveled the James, Chickahominy, and York rivers in 1607, and led two major expeditions from Jamestown in 1608. Smith and his crew sailed and rowed a primitive 30 foot boat nearly 3,000 miles, reaching as far north as the Susquehanna River.
Although Smith did not discover gold, or a river passage to the Pacific, his precise map and detailed observations of American Indians societies and the abundant natural resources guided future explorers and settlers.
An Abundance of Life
Smith discovered a treasure trove of natural wonders in the Chesapeake region, thick forests of giant pines, oaks, and hickories, vast marshlands, huge turtles, 800-pound sturgeon, and great schools of shad and striped bass. Massive flocks of duck, geese, and swans darkened the sky, and enormous oyster reefs rose above the water’s surface.
Native Inhabitants
At the time of Smith’s explorations, and estimated 50,000 American Indians dwelled in the Chesapeake region-as their ancestors had for thousands of years, Their sophisticated societies included arts and architecture, systems of government, extensive trade and communication networks, and shared spiritual beliefs. The native peoples hunted, fished, grew crops, and gathered food and raw materials from the land and waterways.
Group that erected the marker: National Park Service US Department of Interior.
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link]
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
Bryan Point Road
In Piscataway National Park
Accokeek, MD USA
20607
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