Dartmouth
The M.S. Endeavour spent the entire day moored midstream in the River Dart just even with the center of the historic sea-faring town of Dartmouth. Everyone was impressed with the colorful old buildings and incredibly scenic landscapes. In addition to its many famous adventurous citizens, including Francis Drake, Walter Raleigh, and John Davis, Dartmouth is known to history as the port in which the Pilgrim Fathers aboard the Mayflower and Speedwell stopped for repairs and outfitting before sailing from nearby Plymouth for America. It also featured prominently in the preparations for the successful D-Day Invasion of France during World War II when more than 400 ships were packed into the river. Centuries ago, it was an important link in a trade triangle which brought in dried cod from Newfoundland and exchanged it in the Mediterranean region for red wine. Nowadays, however, that trade is no longer an option and tourism provides for about 20% of the economy. We did our best to help in that respect.
Lindblad Expeditions has a long-standing and close relationship with Dartmouth and we experienced a truly heartfelt welcome from His Worship, Mayor Richard Rendle, and several members of the city government. In addition to guided walks around the city proper, many of us explored the waterfront and walked out to the historic Dartmouth Fort and 8th-century St. Petrox Church near the mouth of the river. All of this was enhanced even more by the perfect weather…perhaps the nicest day any of us could remember ever experiencing here before.
The M.S. Endeavour spent the entire day moored midstream in the River Dart just even with the center of the historic sea-faring town of Dartmouth. Everyone was impressed with the colorful old buildings and incredibly scenic landscapes. In addition to its many famous adventurous citizens, including Francis Drake, Walter Raleigh, and John Davis, Dartmouth is known to history as the port in which the Pilgrim Fathers aboard the Mayflower and Speedwell stopped for repairs and outfitting before sailing from nearby Plymouth for America. It also featured prominently in the preparations for the successful D-Day Invasion of France during World War II when more than 400 ships were packed into the river. Centuries ago, it was an important link in a trade triangle which brought in dried cod from Newfoundland and exchanged it in the Mediterranean region for red wine. Nowadays, however, that trade is no longer an option and tourism provides for about 20% of the economy. We did our best to help in that respect.
Lindblad Expeditions has a long-standing and close relationship with Dartmouth and we experienced a truly heartfelt welcome from His Worship, Mayor Richard Rendle, and several members of the city government. In addition to guided walks around the city proper, many of us explored the waterfront and walked out to the historic Dartmouth Fort and 8th-century St. Petrox Church near the mouth of the river. All of this was enhanced even more by the perfect weather…perhaps the nicest day any of us could remember ever experiencing here before.
