Originally called "New London", St. George's was first settled in 1612. This was three years after the first English settlers landed on St. George's Island on their way to Virginia. Led by Admiral Sir George Somers and Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Gates, they had deliberately steered their ship, "Sea Venture," to a reef to escape a storm. The survivors built two new ships, the "Deliverance" and "Patience", and most continued their voyage to Jamestown, but the Virginia Company laid claim to the island.