Are you interested in retracing Captain John Smith's 1607-1609 voyages around the Chesapeake Bay? Then you have found the right place!

    This first itinerary is for the Northern Bay, where Smith tried to find the fabled Northwest passage.  Stay tuned for more trip itineraries for both small boat cruisers and paddlers.

Northern Bay Loop (best explored by powerboat)

       This website is designed to be used as a historical resource in conjunction with the current Guide to Cruising the Chesapeake Bay and the appropriate NOAA charts of the Bay. Boaters are responsible for their own navigation and safety.

 

One Week trip itinerary from Baltimore, MD (~180 miles total):

For Itinerary Details: See Trip Details

The links below provide river descriptions (from 1608 and today) and pertinent sections of Smith's journals.

 '

     1) 2.0 days Baltimore, MD  -- Patapsco River

     2) 0.5 days Bush River  -- Bush River

     3) 1.5 days Havre De Grace, MD

         and Port Deposit, MD on the Susquehanna River -- Susquehanna River 

     4) 0.5 days Northeast, MD, on the Northeast River -- Northeast River

         0.5 days Elk River --  Elk River

     5) 1.0 days Georgetown, MD, on the Sassafras River -- Sassafras River

     6) 1.0 days Rockhall, MD -- Rock Hall, MD

    

 For more info: 

Captain John Smith Overview -- Smith Overview

John Smith's Chesapeake Voyages -- Summary of Smith's Voyages

America's First National Water Trail -- Friends of the Water Trail

Captain John Smith Education Resources -- Captain John Smith Resources