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April 25, 1997
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)


Matthew naval architect to address Cabot Symposium

Bringing a 15th century caravel to life in 1997 would be a difficult task even if one were working from plans, but bringing such a craft into being when no plans exist is a design mystery on a par with any detective novel.

The story will be recounted for all when acclaimed naval architect and yacht designer Colin Mudie addresses the Newfoundland Historical Society's "Cabot and His World" symposium this June as part of the Cabot 500 Anniversary Celebrations. Through the assistance of the British Council and Hibernia Management and Development Corporation, Mudie will outline his successful efforts to recreate Matthew during the opening of the symposium in St. John's June 11.

Mudie is no stranger to developing designs for vessels rooted in historical fact or legend.

In fact, Matthew will not be the first Mudie re-creation to re- trace a trek across the Atlantic from the United Kingdom to Newfoundland. It was in 1975 that noted adventurer Tim Severin consulted Mudie on the reconstruction of his Irish "curragh," a 36-foot leather boat in which he re-traced the alleged 6th century crossing of St. Brendan. Severin and his crew departed Brandon Creek, Ireland, and ultimately arrived at Peckford Island, near Musgrave Harbour, Newfoundland, proving the feat was possible.

Mudie has played an integral role in other Severin adventures calling for the re-construction of legendary craft, ranging from a Greek galley in which Severin re-traced the epic journeys of "Jason and the Argonauts," and an Arab dhow in which "Sinbad the Sailor" was said to have sailed from Oman to China.

While those stories were rooted in legend and the Matthew stems from historical fact, plans for all projects were scarce or non-existent and Mudie has routinely drawn upon knowledge of period craft and his exceptional skill as a master designer.

An adventurer in his own right, Mudie has also put his own designs to the test. In 1958, he and a crew of three including his wife Rosemary, set a world record for a trans-Atlantic air-sea crossing in a hydrogen balloon and gondola boat. Mudie and his crew took the unusual craft on a trip which included 94 and a half hours ballooning, and three weeks on the sea under sail. It was a record which stood for 18 years, and the original Mudie hull form was used by subsequent successful trans-Atlantic balloonists.

A holder of an outstanding array of honours, author or co-author of six books on marine history and design, Mudie has played an integral role in creating the key vessels of historical significance for the past several decades and will be on hand when his Matthew arrives at Bonavista June 24.

His empathy for historical craft and their role in the evolution of human travel worldwide, not to mention a pure spirit of adventure, bodes for a captivating presentation when the Historical Society's Cabot and His World Symposium opens in St. John's on June 11.

For information on the symposium, please contact:

  • Patricia O'Brien
    Coordinator
    Cabot and His World Symposium
    Phone/Fax: (709) 722-2781
    E-mail:pobrien@morgan.ucs.mun.ca

    Doug Burgess
    Manager of Communications
    Cabot 500 Anniversary Celebrations
    Phone: (709) 729-1997; fax:(709) 579-2067

1997 04 25   2:05 p.m

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