#(the explorer)

2026 Fransweek Day3: Light + Day6: Bond

"Thank you for being my navigator when I can't see the light."

A poorly taken photo (I know, I took it.) of the replica of what historians believe CPT John Smith's shallop the "Explorer" looked like.

The shallop was carried across the Atlantic to the Virginia Colony in prefab form in the hold of the "Susan Constant". Once at the site of the Jamestown Fort it was assembled like an IKEA project, although it probably had better directions and wasn't made in China. In any case, while the shallop was mentioned several times in writing it was never completely described so this is an educated best guess.

The "Explorer" was used by Smith to make several survey voyages in the Chesapeake Bay and the rivers and streams that feed it. The shallop was capable of carrying a significant cargo while drawing around two feet of water. It was good in shallow and deep water and could make brief off coast trips but probably wouldn't be the best choice far off shore.

Hooooly shooooooot... I feel so unbelievably proud of this piece... I barely have any words

The quote comes from a recent video by Hello Future Me! and the moment I've heard it, my pen just sorta... slipped :DD

Anyway, the cutouts behind Vera are from public domain images and Unsplash (apart from the bow which I drew myself), and I had a lotta fun collaging them together hehe.

I present: Explorer Academia.