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This is a replica of John Cabot's tall ship the Matthew at Bristols harbourside. If you don't fancy a rare Flossie history lecture avert your eyes now. :o) .. you still here oh that's a surprise. ;o) ... Anyway folks Mr John Cabot a merchant trader of unknown origin came to Bristol England with grand thoughts wanting to find a more convenient Western passage to Asia. Having received financial sponsorship from Bristol traders he set sail in the Matthew (his 2nd attempt !!) in May 1497 with the Kings blessing. The 19 man crew however got confused entering unchartered territory discovering North America shortly b4 Christopher Columbus !! Docking in either Cape Breton, or Labrador (Newfoundland) in June, the crew returned to the Port of Bristol in August the same year. For some reason folks back home got awful excited, & Cabot was treated as a hero being made an admiral, receiving a £10 golden handshake, & a £20 a year pension as financial reward for is chaotic venture.. it's a strange world ... The ironic twist is the following year he commissioned a fleet of 5 ships for a return voyage however the fleet got into trouble shortly after leaving the Port of Bristol. :o( 4 ships navigated safely to the Irish coast while #5 Admiral Cabots ship was never seen again !! Seems there's was a bit of Captain Scott in him. ;o) Cabots widow did benefit however as did her sons who also took to the seas too. :o( What is the moral of this slightly anarchic rambling interpretation ? Trust very few people, & be very wary of the rich, & famous. :o)