written by Naomi, Project Officer 

This blog post was written based on research during the ‘Interpreting Kiplin for 400’ project, a National Lottery Heritage Fund project with thanks to National Lottery players.  Published 8th April 2025 . Find out more about the project at history.kiplinhall.co.uk/kiplin-400/

In 1633, two ships set off on a dangerous journey. George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore, of Kiplin Hall had a long-standing dream of establishing a new colony in America. This dream finally became reality in 1633 when a charter from King James II gave the Calverts permission to found the state of Maryland in America. However, 3000 miles of ocean stood between England and Maryland, and the only way across was by ship. 

Two ships were charted for the journey. The Ark, the larger of the two, would transport most of the passengers, while the smaller Dove would carry supplies for settling in Maryland.1  The ships set off from Cowes, England on 22nd November 1633.2 They would not see land for 2 months. 

Life onboard was not for the fainthearted. The wooden ships were exposed and isolated on the violent seas of the Atlantic Ocean. Only four days into the journey, enormous waves and ferocious winds battered the ships from all sides. Amidst the chaos the ships were separated, and both feared the other was lost forever. In fact, the Dove had turned back to take shelter closer to the shore while the Ark braved the open sea. With no way to communicate, both ships sailed on alone, the Dove unknowingly only a few weeks behind the Ark.3 

Not long after braving the raging storm, 30 passengers on the Ark fell ill after indulging in a large barrel of wine shared to celebrate Christmas. With limited medical care onboard, 12 people died.4 With thousands of miles of ocean travel ahead of them, the rest of the journey must have loomed large for the surviving passengers.  

There would have been no feasts or banquets for the passengers during their ocean voyage. Food and water had to last for months onboard. A limited menu of preserved foods like salted meats, dried grains and beans might be available alongside low alcohol beer and wine.5 Once the ships had made it to the Caribbean with regularly available ports, they could stock up on more perishable goods like fruit and meat. Father Andrew White, a Catholic priest onboard the Ark who wrote an account of the journey, excitingly describes the oranges, lemons, limes, pomegranates, peaches and pineapples he tried once they reached Barbados in January 1634.6  

The Ark the Dove finally arrived in Maryland on 25th March 1634 after nearly 4 months at sea. The journey had been long and challenging, but setting up a new settlement in Maryland was not going to be easy either.  

1. Maryland Dove, History, https://www.marylanddove.org/history [Accessed 18th September 2024]. 
2. A Briefe Relation of the Voyage Unto Maryland. Maryland State Archives: Annapolis, 1990. Archives of Maryland, Volume 0552, Page 0005 – A Briefe Relation of the Voyage Unto Maryland p.5 
3. A Briefe Relation of the Voyage Unto Maryland. Maryland State Archives: Annapolis, 1990. Archives of Maryland, Volume 0552, Page 0008 – A Briefe Relation of the Voyage Unto Maryland p.8 &14. 
4. A Relation of the Successefull Beginning of the Lord Baltimore’s Plantation in Mary-land. pg. 42-55. Maryland State Archives: Annapolis, 1990. Archives of Maryland, Volume 0551, Page 0042 – A Relation of the Successefull Beginning of the Lord Baltemore’s Plantation in Mary-land Accessed on [2nd August 2024]. 
5. Exploring Maryland’s Roots, FAQs about Voyage to Marie’s Land. https://mdroots.thinkport.org/library/faqs_voyage.asp Accessed on [2nd August 2024]. 
6. A Briefe Relation of the Voyage Unto Maryland. Maryland State Archives: Annapolis, 1990. Archives of Maryland, Volume 0552, Page 0012 – A Briefe Relation of the Voyage Unto Maryland p. 12-13.