February 5, 1998
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

The White Fleet returns

Patricia Marsden-Dole, Canadian Ambassador to Portugal, is in St. John's this week meeting with the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University and other stakeholders to outline plans for the return of the Creoula, the last of the magnificent sailing ships of the White Fleet.

The Creoula, now the property of the Portuguese Navy, will make the voyage from Aveiro/Ihavo, Portugal to St. John's later this summer. One hundred working passengers, consisting of 50 Portuguese and 50 Newfoundland youth, will each make half of the round trip which will last approximately six weeks, including turn around time in St. John's.

"This project offers an exciting opportunity for youth to relive an era of our seafaring history" says Sandra Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "We are delighted to see the enthusiasm for this project in Portugal and are pleased to have a leading educational institution like the Marine Institute involved in the project."

The Creoula is booked to participate in several tall ships events planned for Expo `98, taking place in Lisbon from May 22 until September 30. The theme of Expo `98 is "Oceans - Heritage of the Future". The Portuguese exhibit will develop a sub-theme - The Commemoration of the Portuguese Discoveries of the World. The early Portuguese presence in Newfoundland and Labrador will be highlighted through this memorial voyage of the Creoula.

For more information or interviews, please contact:

Diana Quinton, Co-ordinator of Communications and Public Relations
Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University
Telephone: (709) 778-0366 Fax: 778-0672

Mary Pretty, Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
Telephone: (709) 729-3555 Fax: 772-0662