400th Year Commemorative Stamps

1609-2009 Collectable Stamps On Sale Now

Commemorating the anniversary of Bermuda and the strong ties between Bermuda and Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the New World.

In July 1609 crossing the Atlantic with a small fleet of supply ships, Admiral Sir George Somers headed for Jamestown aboard the Sea Venture. Caught in a massive hurricane and after days of being tossed around in rough seas, the Sea Venture is wedged on a reef off Bermuda. All 150 colonists onboard are saved and set out to build two new ships with parts of the salvaged Sea Venture wreckage and native Bermuda wood. The two new vessels built are christened the Deliverance and the Patience.

The supply ships that did arrive in Jamestown, (that crossed the Atlantic with the Sea Venture) did not carry enough food to last the colonist through the winter. From its beginnings, in May 1607, Indian attacks, bitter cold winter weather, devastating fires, conspiracies, disease and intense starvation plagued the settlers at Jamestown.

When the Deliverance and Patience finally arrived from Bermuda in May of 1610, they found a decimated population. Only 60 desperate survivors were left in Jamestown, from what was once a population of approximately 550. In June 1610 Jamestown was temporarily abandoned when both the Deliverance and Patience set sail back to England with the rescued colonists. But shortly after they set out, they met up with three new ships arriving from England with fresh supplies. Once the new settlers arrived, Admiral Somers returned to Bermuda, reportedly with the intentions of bringing back wild hogs discovered in Bermuda, for food. However, Somers died in Bermuda in November 1610. By 1611 the Puritan Reverend Alexander Whitaker arrived in Jamestown to establish the 1st Presbyterian congregation in Virginia.

In 1958, sport divers discovered the remains of the wreck of the Sea Venture on a coral reef off of Bermuda. Despite what little remained, the ship was positively identified by bits of cargo, ceramics, arms and cookware.

Visitors to Bermuda can tour a replica of the Deliverance on Ordnance Island in historic St George, where you can experience first-hand the small cramped quarters in which the crew and passengers would have spent long stretches at sea. St. Georges, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers many interesting opportunities to learn more about the intertwined history of early Bermuda and the USA. Learn more, here.

The Deliverance and Patience commemorative stamps are available from the Bermuda post office. Information about purchasing them is available by e-mailing philatelic@gov.bm.

For more information about Bermuda's 400th Anniversary Celebrations, please visit www.bermuda2009.bm.

Commemorative Stamp Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Kersley Nanette, craftsman of the Deliverance model.
Liner details information courtesy of William S. Zuill Sr., Sharon Jacobs, The St. George's Foundation.

Technical Details of the Bermuda 400th Anniversary Commemorative Stamps:

400 Anniversary Offer! Book now and celebrate with hotel credits of up to $400 for travel through March 31, 2009. Plus get a 400 Anniversary Passport for additional savings of up to $1000 on island.

Make your Bermuda trip even more memorable with dolphins! Dolphin Quest offers fun, interactive dolphin encounter programs for all. Book your adventure today!

Have a fun-filled vacation with a cycle from Oleander. If you can ride a bicycle, you can easily ride an Oleander scooter. See all of Bermuda...reserve one today!