BATH

Maine’s First Ship has received several gifts and grants to support its reconstruction of “Virginia,” the 51-foot pinnace built four centuries ago by the colonists at Popham.

The group said in a news release that Bath Savings Institution — one of its leading supporters — has contributed $29,500 to the project and its educational programs.

Significant contributions from local businesses and individuals include Sebasco Harbor Resort and the Maine Historical Society, which gave $1,250.

Over the past year, an anonymous donor made a $10,000 grant that has since been matched.

Maine’s First Ship completed its second full summer of building “Virginia” on the waterfront in Bath under the supervision of shipwright Rob Stevens. For the third straight year, nine Morse High School students worked along with many local volunteers, headed by Morse science teacher Eric Varney and shipwright George Sprague.

Morse students completed the main yard, finished a display spar, worked on a crowjack spar and learned about ship rigging this summer.

Volunteers harvested three white pine trees locally and have started work on the main mast. With the purchase of white oak in August, the volunteers are also building more frames and hope to complete the framing of “Virginia” by next summer.

The boat shed housing the project was damaged during Hurricane Sandy, but there was no damage to the “Virginia.” Orman Hines, president of Maine’s First Ship, said the shed will be rebuilt within the month.