WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) – A recreation of one of the first ships to bring settlers to Virginia is heading up north for a two-year preservation project.

The recreation of Jamestown Settlement’s Susan Constant began its 515-mile journey up the James River to the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard in Connecticut on Monday, where it will undergo two years of work at the Mystic Seaport Museum.

  • Susan Constant departs Jamestown Settlement. (Courtesy: Christopher Becke)
  • Susan Constant departs Jamestown Settlement. (Courtesy: Christopher Becke)
  • Susan Constant departs Jamestown Settlement. (Courtesy: Christopher Becke)
  • Susan Constant departs Jamestown Settlement. (Courtesy: Christopher Becke)

Commissioned in 1991, the Susan Constant has since welcomed about 19 million visitors to learn about what settlers used to make the voyage to Jamestown back in 1607.

Restoring the 120-ton vessel will cost nearly $5 million in funding approved by state lawmakers earlier in the year.

The Mystic Seaport Museum was chosen for the preservation project, as they exclusively work on wooden ships and have worked on maritime preservation for more than 50 years.

The journey is expected to take four to five days, weather permitting.

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