This year sees the 400th anniversary of the first of two historical voyagers by Suffolk explorer Bartholomew Gosnold, which BBC Radio Suffolk's presenter David Webb will be following.

In 1602 he sailed westward to what was to become New England in his ship Concord.

He built a fort on Cuttyhunk Island, and on July 4th this year an 'observance' will be held there to mark that event, which David Webb will be attending.

During that journey which is well documented, Gosnold named Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard (after his infant daughter who died and is buried in the Great churchyard in Bury St Edmunds).

Five years later in 1607, he returned on the ship Godspeed and was instrumental in establishing the first permanent English settlement in North America at Jamestown in Virginia.

Click on the picture of the original Jamestown site,
for a larger version »

Jamestown became the first real English colony and eventually led to the creation of the United States of America.

Historians acknowledge that if it had not been for Gosnold then almost certainly the USA would have become Spanish territory.

Gosnold was born in Suffolk, lived in Bury St Edmunds and his family seat was at Otley Hall, near Ipswich. This is beautifully preserved from Elizabethan times.

The present-day owner, Nicholas Hagger, paints a vivid picture of great discussions of explorations being held beside the huge fireplace that can still be seen there.

Click to see an interactive map of David Webbs journey when he reaches Cape Cod and Cuttyhunk Island.

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