"Yes, and... : a Great American Novelty"

White caps broke against the ice floes on the horizon. All around was little but chop and tiny bergs. The only exception being one small point in the distance. One blessed tiny piece of creation which was neither heaving nor smashing. Surely this was a great new island as the ship had long passed Greenland some hours ago. Upon the rearcastle Captain Martin Frobisher lowered his spyglass and looked to the men on deck scraping rime from the planks as they had since crossing into this hellish latitude.
"Make our course 20 degrees north by northwest." He bellowed, "land ho!" The captain closed his eyes to enjoy the well trained response of his men.
"Aye, glorious commander of the seas!" the chorus returned. He opened his eyes and turned to the man at his shoulder, "Best, you have the helm. I am going below to put on my conquering suit."
Frobisher, high admiral in the New World and to his thinking national hero of England descended the ladder to the deck and with his characteristic codpiece leading the way, strode into the cabin.
Within the blessed dimness of the small room was all that truly mattered. His charts, his journals and his wealth. He had come on this voyage not just to open the vault of gold which waited in the mouth of the straight named for him but also to trade with far Cathay. All of the fine English wool and other trade goods would make him a rich man when he found his way through the ice choked passages to the far side of the world.
He tugged the golden yellow jerkin over his leather doublet and changed into a matching codpiece before reaching for the Italian prepared charts so that he might record the discovery. Upon removing the fresh parchments he discovered a small weathered packet folded within their oilskins.
Setting the charts off to the side he opened the packet, folding it open to reveal a letter rendered in tiny spidery handwriting. He set the letter to the side in favor or the set of thin papers closed within. They seemed to be plans for some piece of construction. Ah, the plans for my pinnace, he thought, knowing that he was to build a new long boat for navigating the tight passage leading to the Frobisher straight.
With that the mighty captain hefted the flagpole which he kept by the door for just such occasions and strode back into the frigid air on deck.
"Hauser!" he bellowed. From behind him came a ready reply.
"Aoye Cap'n. Have you need of me services oar not? Get it? Oar..." with an earnest cast he held up the oar he carried habitually for the captain's benefit.
"Yes, yes I have. Put that thing back in the dinghy. I need you and Bob to get started on my pinnace."
"All due respect Cap'n but neither Bob or me goes that way. I c'n get cabin boy for ye."
"No, you fool! The pinnace, to be the largest ever built for exploring the tight passages to come."
"That's nice and all..." the sailor began, looking embarrassed.
"Look, here are the plans. Just get to building if thou ever wish to see thy own pinnace again."
"Aye, cap'n." Hauser finally replied taking the papers and heading to the forecastle. With that Frobisher once more mounted the rearcastle once more. The wind caught in the flag and whipped it out straight behind the captain as he turned behind to the fleet which followed and signaled them onward to the horizon and the immortality it promised.

So that's part 1. Obviously I have not had the time to do any edits and I feel as though much of this project will be first draft quality at best. If it is worth re-working that will happen when it is all said an done. Thank you so much to everyone who made suggestions. for part one and also to those for part two. I am taking submissions via twitter, facebook and in the comment feed of the actual blog page.

For part 2 I need suggestions for an historic figure and an artifact. I will begin tomorrow morning so you have until then to make your suggestions. Remember, this is the Internet. Make your vote count even if it's for something silly.