You get your first ship (a raft) at Fort Ridley when you provide a clue to the Governor. A long-lost merchant will return to the island if you signal him from the telescope.
The Process
Go past the covered bridge, then down to the river. Pick up a doubloon from the left side. Buy the chicken feed at the General Store, and give it to the boy with the chickens, who will give you one. Take the chicken to the farmer at the right of the bridge, who will give you a blue candle, which can read the writing on the faded parchment in the Governor's house. Now you can use the broken mirror (upper right shelf of the General Store) to signal a ship from the fort's telescope.
(Until you read the parchment, the only ship in the telescope is a pirate ship.)
Buy a larger ship when you can afford it. Earn doubloons by selling salvage you collect from the waters around Dragon Cove, and between Parrot Port and Golden Harbor. Buy the Jimmy Rigger at the shipbuilder at Dragon Cove. As you earn more doubloons, it is beneficial to buy each larger ship as soon as you can afford them, and eventually hire the four skilled crewmen as well.
you go on port tower then you use the telescope to find the raft then you use the broken mirror (that you find in the out of stock rack in the general store) to signal it.
Go to the Chinese island and go to the ship yard. Talk to the second guy.
To find the merchant in skulldugger island you find the raft and talk to the merchant on the raft
Just dock in an island and your ship (or raft) will fully heal.
you dive to were your ship(raft)is and you swim till you get to sand
Use your raft to sail to Golden Harbor.
You signal the man that has been missing for a year on a raft. Afterr you have read the parchment and accepted the Governor's quest, look for the raft with the telescope, and then use the mirror. When he docks, he will give you the raft.
In order to fire cannons, you must upgrade the raft to a ship with cannons and you must be on the sea. Make sure you have a ship that shoots cannons. Just set sail in the ocean and click to fire the cannons.
you look in the telescope then when you see a raft click on the mirror so he sees a signal and comes back after he gives you his raft and you start an adventure!! :)
The only ship you go on is your own. You begin with the raft and you buy larger ships as you can afford them.
You get the raft when the woman's husband returns to Fort Ridley. After you read the document with the governor, the raft will appear in the telescope at the lookout tower. You will need the broken mirror (from the general store) to signal the raft.
The broken mirror is on the top right shelf in Stinky Tim's Store. Use it at the telescope to signal the raft.
Once you have read the document for the governor, you can use the mirror to signal the raft. It will come ashore at Fort Ridley.