July 31, 1997
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Matthew sets speed record

It was "fasten your seatbelt" time on the Matthew on Monday, July 28 as the 15th-century-style caravel sailed to St. Anthony, the 13th port of call on her 17-port Cabot 500 Anniversary tour of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The weather improved, and strong favourable winds prevailed as the caravel, under full sail, reached a speed of 9.3 knots, the highest recorded for the vessel since a speed of 7.5 knots near Weymouth off the coast of England in the spring of 1997.

The Matthew averaged just under three knots an hour on her trans-Atlantic crossing to Bonavista, and on her best sailing day during the crossing had an average speed of five knots, says Matthew Captain David Alan-Williams.

The Matthew reached her new speed record near Great Brehat after she had rounded the Great Northern Peninsula on her way to St. Anthony. Winds at the time were out of the north-west at 27 knots.

"It was our best sailing day ever," said Captain Alan-Williams. "We had ideal conditions with favourable winds and relatively calm seas."

The Matthew will be in St. Anthony until 12 noon on July 31, at which time she will depart for La Scie. The Matthew is also scheduled to arrive at Botwood on Sunday, August 3 at 10 a.m., at Twillingate on Tuesday, August 5 at 10 a.m., and at Trinity, her final port of call on Friday, August 8 at 12 noon.

The Matthew will depart Trinity and conclude her Cabot 500 Anniversary tour on Saturday, August 9 at 10 p.m., with an array of farewell ceremonies prior to her departure.

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