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Contributed by Fred Gosbee 2007-11-05

Popham — Ballad of the Popham Expedition 2007©Fred Gosbee When King James wore the English crown Two ships sailed forth from Plymouth town. The Gift of God and Mary & John to Virginia made their way. George Popham was the leader then And with him there went six-score men To build a fort on the northern strand and for the winter stay. Using tools of the proper sort They built a house and a sturdy fort Their brave adventure to support and a colony to begin. Then Raleigh Gilbert looked, it seemed, Up every river, brook and stream

The Northwest Passage was the dream would all their fortunes win. And as they viewed the woods around The oaks and pine there did abound The like of which had not been found in England for many a year. There was among those hardy wights One shipwright, Digby he was hight. He laid a keel by the water bright to build a pinnace there. As autumn's days began to wane Their two ships sailed back home again, Leaving forty-five brave men there by the ocean side. Scarce one month or two was past Before the winter's icy blast Brought great hardship, cold and frost. 'Twas then George Popham died. The colonists were in great need When young Gilbert took the lead; Strong of will and rash of deed, and whether 'twas right or wrong, With haughty mien he sent his men To fight the local Indians For food and firewood ran out then as winter lingered long Yet doughty Digby labored on The beams were hewed and planks were sawn. The pinnace frame was raised anon, a ship of thirty tuns. The hull was fit, the seams were caulked, The mast was set, spars rigged aloft. The sails were bent when she was launched; Virginia was done! But they had barely rigged the clews When a ship came there and brought sad news John Popham had died; John Gilbert, too, but Raleigh was his heir. So Fort St. George was burnéd down For fear by France it might be found. To Compton Castle was Gilbert bound, to friends and family there. Two ships the North Atlantic crossed. The Popham colony was lost. The Plymouth Company bore the cost but all was not in vain. Virginia also made the trip, The first of many wooden ships Crafted and launched down the slips all on the coast of Maine.