'Be it known that we have given to our well beloved John Cabot full and free authority to sail to all parts, regions and coasts of the eastern, western and northern sea’
King Henry VII, 5 March 1496

The 20th-century replica of the Matthew is moored in Bristol harbour, where she runs regular tours and is chartered for sailing trips around the British Isles and to Europe. 

Over 500 years ago, map-maker and explorer John Cabot set sail from Bristol hoping to reach Asia by travelling west. Instead, he reached the coast of North America.

Cabot’s journey was largely financed by Bristol merchants. His voyage – and the transatlantic voyages which followed – made Bristol one of the most important ports in the country. Transatlantic trade ultimately saw the transfer of the English language to North America.

A replica of Cabot’s ship, the Matthew, was launched at Bristol in 1996. There are no original plans or images of her: we only know her approximate voyage dates, number of crew and tonnage. From her tonnage, the people who built the replica were able to estimate the ship’s original dimensions.

This shows the world as it was known around 16 years after Cabot’s voyage. Newfoundland – which Cabot discovered – is shown as a detached area of coast, coloured green. It was not known at this time that he had discovered a vast continent.

Image: Waldseemuller's 1513 edition of Ptolemy. Repro ID: F1973 © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London