Captain John Smith's Explorations
Captain John Smith conducted two major voyages around the Chesapeake Bay during the summer of 1608, both starting from Jamestown, Virginia.
On his first voyage he traveled north along the eastern shore, exploring the mouth of the Pocomoke River and then traveling some distance up the Nanticoke River. He continued as far north as present-day Baltimore, before heading south along the western shore.
On his second voyage, Smith went straight up the Bay to the mouth of the Susquehanna, and present-day Havre de Grace, exploring the Patuxent and Rappahannock Rivers on his return trip south.
The trail blazed by Smith and his men opened the Chesapeake to European settlers, altering forever the face of the Bay and profoundly changing the lives of those around it.
Find out more about the Nanticoke and other rivers that comprise the Captain John Smith National Historic Trail and discover facts about the American Indians, the Chesapeake Bay and Captain John Smith himself by visiting www.smithtrail.net.
