With the arrival of the Elizabeth II at the Washington waterfront today, comes an opportunity for area residents to educate themselves about the early days of North Carolina’s colonization by England.
While students from area schools will be taking tours of the replica vessel Friday morning and early Friday afternoon, the ship will be open Saturday for tours by the public.
Elizabeth II, which calls Roanoke Festival Park in Manteo its homeport, is modeled after 16th-century sailing vessels. As a composite, it represents ships used to transport colonists to the New World in the 1500s.
Elizabeth II is a square-rigged bark with three masts. It is 69 feet long and 17 feet wide. It draws eight feet of water. Its main topmast is 65 feet tall.
Aboard the vessel, costumed interpreters portray the sailors and soldiers of the Roanoke Voyages. They gladly answer questions about the ship, Roanoke Voyages and life during those times.
The Lost Colony has ties to the Roanoke Voyages, England’s expeditions to the New World from 1584 to 1590. Learn about explorers Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe, the first known Europeans to set eyes on Roanoke Island. They were sent to the area by Sir Walter Raleigh.
The visit by the Elizabeth II offers an opportunity to better understand what caused the Lost Colony to become lost, what life was like for English colonists who came to North Carolina and why they came to the New World
Mix fun and education by touring the Elizabeth II, no matter your age.