Godspeed replica to tour East Coast to start Jamestown commemoration

A new replica of one of the three ships that carried Jamestown's founders will set sail May 22 for a tour of six East Coast ports to begin commemorating the 400th anniversary of America's first permanent English settlement.

The Godspeed is to depart from its home berth at the Jamestown Settlement outdoor living history museum and head to Alexandria, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Newport, R.I. Each port will have a free "Landing Party Festival" featuring live music, family entertainment and historical and cultural displays about Jamestown.

The Godspeed Sail is one of 10 "signature" Jamestown anniversary events. The premier event "America's Anniversary Weekend," will take place a year after the sailings, on May 11-13, 2007, a national observance of Jamestown's founding in 1607.