July 4, 1997
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Matthew Public Boarding Concludes 3 p.m. Sunday Placentia Next Port of Call

Public boarding of the replica of John Cabot's Matthew will conclude in St. John's at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 6 for an ecumenical service and blessing of the fleet in St. John's Harbour.

Following the service, the Matthew's crew will be busy with preparations for the vessel's departure from St. John's at 8 p.m. Sunday night.

The turnout to view and tour the 73 foot 15th century-style caravel has been significant, and the interest in the vessel is expected to be sustained throughout her provincial tour.

The Matthew still has 13 ports of call remaining in her Cabot 500 tour, and is scheduled to arrive at Placentia on Tuesday, July 8, at 12 noon. Public boarding of the Matthew at Placentia is scheduled to run from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on July 8, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9.

The Matthew will depart Placentia at 10 a.m., July 10 for Grand Bank.

Contact: Doug Burgess, Manager of Communications, Cabot 500 Anniversary Celebrations, (709) 729-4247.