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May 23, 1997
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

TECHNOLOGY TRACKING MATTHEW AND NEWFOUNDLAND FLOTILLA

In 1497, John Cabot sailed off into a "sea of darkness" and was not heard of again for months.

In 1997, from dens and living rooms throughout the world, people can track the recreation of his journey and an incoming flotilla of sailing vessels via the Internet.

"There are several Internet sites which have been developed for Cabot 500 and related events as the interest mounts in our province-wide celebrations," says Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Sandra Kelly.

"We've received great interest in our Cabot 500 website, which has links to the Matthew homepage, and one only has to look at the e-mail messages sent to the site to see that from Australia to Yellowknife our message is out there," she adds. "This is our summer to shine as we greet our visitors."

While the Cabot 500 and Matthew homepage tracks Cabot 500 events in Newfoundland and Labrador and the progress of the Matthew as it crosses the Atlantic, "Canoe," the Canadian Online Explorer is running a daily feature on the progress of the Newfoundland Flotilla.

The Flotilla is a project of a group of Great Lakes sailors which will see up to 90 sailing yachts come to Newfoundland for the Cabot celebrations, with the majority sailing on to Bonavista to greet the Matthew.

The Flotilla updates are being entered by Flotilla participant Charles Leggatt, radio co-ordinator for the event, and is an excellent parallel to the Matthew visit as western boats sail east to meet the Matthew on her historic westward trek. To reach "Canoe," contact www.Canoe.ca, and click the section headed "On Cabot's Trail," which also gives links to Newfoundland and Labrador Cabot 500 events.

To reach the Cabot 500 page with links to the Matthew page and its daily ship's log, contact www.cabot500.nf.ca.

Contact:

• Doug Burgess
  Manager of Communications
  Cabot 500 Anniversary Celebrations
  (709) 729-1997