Maritime Program Manager, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
Capt. Speth, who holds a U.S. Coast Guard Master’s license in 1600-ton Ocean Steam, Motor and Sail, has valuable experience in positions aboard several sailing vessels including Captain on the Charlotte Ann, a restored 19th century schooner, Chief Carpenter for the restoration of the 1877 era Elissa, a 200’ iron barque, and Chief Mate on the Pride of Baltimore, a 137’ replica topsail schooner representing the State of Maryland as a goodwill ambassador. Aboard Elissa, Capt. Speth supervised restoration, repair or replacement of all wooden features of the ship including the elaborate aft cabin and officer’s quarters, deck fittings, decking and wooden masts and spars. He assisted with training the volunteer crew to sail the ship after the restoration was completed. Capt Speth sailed more than 20,000 miles aboard Pride of Baltimore along the U.S. East Coast, Gulf Coast, West Coast, Caribbean Islands, the northern coast of South America, Central America and Mexico. Prior to joining the Foundation in 1988, he served as Coordinator of Maritime History at Historic St. Mary’s City where he was Master of the Dove, a re-created 17th-century vessel. Capt. Speth works with other museums serving as occasional Captain for Plimoth Plantation’s Mayflower and the Elizabeth II in Manteo, North Carolina. Capt. Speth studied Yacht Design at Westlawn School of Marine Technology.
Capt. Speth has been responsible for many projects at Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. He served as project manager for the construction of Susan Constant in the early 1990’s, Godspeed in 2006 and Discovery in 2007, managed replacement of Jamestown Settlement’s waterfront facility, ships channel dredging and major ship repair and maintenance projects. He planned and managed all sailing operations for the 2006 Godspeed Sail to six east coast cities and the 2007 commemorative sail to fifteen Virginia cities. Captain Speth serves as master of Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery.