Sir George Yeardley

     George Yeardley's name appears under "Adventurer" among the "Sea Venture" 

passenger list.  Little did he know that "Adventurer" would be a true statement.  In 1609, 

the Sea Venture ship was on a journey to Jamestowne, what would be the first 

established permanent settlement in America.  

   George Yeardley would experience being with John Rolfe, who would be the future husband 

of the well known Indian Pocahontas.  He would also be in company of a reverend, stowaway, and murderer just to name a few. 

                    And that's just being shipwrecked on the island of Bermuda. 

     George Yeardley stepped away from his father's way of making a living  as  a 

 tailor in London  for a career as a soldier. What bravery.  George fought the Spanish 

in the  Netherlands.  There he met Sir Thomas Gates. It must have been an honor  for 

Gates to choose him to be his personal guard on the "Sea Venture" ship with others in 

 search of gold and silver at  a new little place in the wilderness called  Jamestowne.

     Imagine being among over one hundred passengers on a ship sailing

  across the Atlantic Ocean and an enormous hurricane immerges

  tossing and carrying the small vessel away from the 

  intended destination.

       William Strachey, a lawyer and poet wrote a letter  about the experience.

In the valuable words captured, Strachey describes the unforgettable ordeal.  He said they could not think of any greater violence.  The clouds gathered thick, the sky growing darker and darker and the wind whistling so unusally and with such rage. 

 "Prayers might well be in the hearts and lips, but drowned in the outcries of the officers.  Nothing heard could give comfort, nothing seen that might encourage hope."  

                   They believed this was the end of their journey here on earth.

                How terrifying to be in a dreadful situation possibly facing doom.  

                                    The powerful storm seemed endless.

     Even the disciples were fearful in a boat out in a stormy sea and called upon Jesus.  

  Calmly, he said, "Peace, be still." And it happened.  The Lord was in control.

     The horrific hurricane would land the damaged ship at the island of Bermuda,

 southeast of Virginia.  The travelers aboard the Sea Venture acknowledged God's mercy   according  to Strachey.  The Lord was in control.

    One hundred fifty people could sigh a relief that they made it through what appeared

 to be a miracle.  Sadly, not all of the stranded people would leave this island to see 

  the  newly formed colony named Jamestowne.

   Imagine being on a small island for ten months with so many different personalities. 

Imagine being Reverend Richard Bucke trying to minister in this situation.  This chaplain surely had a challenge before him.  

   Great leaders had different ideas of handling being marooned.  There was Captain Somers, admiral of the ship and Sir Thomas Gates, who was going to be governor at Jamestowne.  

Both were leaders.  There had to be some order for the restless passengers.  They had to use military control on the travelers, so that would include George Yeardley helping in that regard.  This island was no vacation.  They would have to endure unexpected trials. 

 Some would overcome what they had no choice to face.  Others, unfortunately

 it seems, gave up on hope.  

    The leaders took their role seriously, stepping up to have control on the upsetting            circumstance.  Now the goal was to survive where the winds and waves took them.  

  They could not imagine the events that would take place at their present home.

    In Bermuda, John Rolfe's young wife and baby would die.  Henry Paine made a wrong decision of stealing supplies, assaulted an officer and committed mutiny.  He would not   leave the island.  

    An unfortunate conflict resulted in Edward Samuel murdered with a shovel by 

Robert Waters.

    Henry Ravens sailed for help and was lost at sea.

  Christopher Carter deserted the group and stayed on the island.  

  Three men stayed to hold claim to this land. 

                                      Imagine witnessing these occurrences. 

                                   One of  faith would rely on God's strength.

   Imagine knowing there was not going to be a rescue, wondering what was going to happen.  This was certainly an exploration of the unknown.  While being marooned, 

they built two boats.  The names were "Patience" and "Deliverance". 

 How appropriate.  

   When the building was complete, the castaway's answer to prayer delivered them 

from a place that caused turmoil.

   When the ships, Patience and Deliverance arrived May 23, 1610, they found James Fort nearly destroyed.  They arrived to see the toll of "The Starving Time."  The settlers had run 

out of food.  They died of starvation, disease and Indian attacks.  Out of about four hundred people, there were only sixty remaining.  This was not the streets of London.  Hearts were heavy from the sight and knowledge of what occured here at the newly formed settlement.  The earlier Jamestowne settlers that winter were facing their own challenges, turmoil, and "storm".  They too had to lean on their faith.

    Right away, Gates gave George Yeardley the role of Captain of Lt. Governor with these desperated conditions.  Leadership qualities must have been evident.  Imagine taking on 

this important task.  This wuld be the beginning of so many incredible accomplishments continuing to show the definition of "adventurer".  This would be far from being a tailor, making clothes in London.