A translation of Elvish Entulessë, the name of the ship captained by the great Númenórean mariner Vëantur. It was in the 'Return' that Vëantur became the first Númenórean to make the journey back to Middle-earth. In the spring of II 600 he sailed into the Grey Havens, and remained in Middle-earth for many months before his ship lived up to its name and made the return to Númenor in the autumn of II 601. Vëantur's achievement inspired a drive for exploration in his native Númenor; his grandson Aldarion created the Guild of Venturers and sailed many times to Middle-earth himself, building new ports on the coasts and establishing close ties with the inhabitants.

Notes

The fact that this ship was named the 'Return' implies that it was probably built for the voyage back to Middle-earth (or at the very least refitted and renamed for that voyage). On that basis, its famous crossing of II 600 was likely its maiden voyage. We might expect that it would have later made other journeys across the Great Sea but, if so, none are recorded. The ship's captain, Vëantur, certainly did make further journeys, but the next that we know about, in II 725, was aboard a ship named 'West-wings' (Númerrámar), so the Return had apparently made its last voyage to Middle-earth by that date.

Rómenna, at the head of a narrow firth on Númenor's eastern coast, was the island's chief port and the hub of its shipbuilding industry. It was also the home of the Return's captain Vëantur, so it seems safe to assume that the ship was built in Rómenna and sailed from its harbour (though note that this is not stated directly).

‘Return’

The vessel of Vëantur

Notes

See also...

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