England's very first official voyage of exploration to the New World didn't begin in London—or even under an Englishman's command. It began in Bristol in 1497 and was undertaken by Italian entrepreneur John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto). Backed by Henry VII, Cabot's bold journey in search of Asia, but actually to the coast of North America, marked the quiet beginnings of England's imperial story.. The Matthew you see in Bristol today is a modern reconstruction of the original Matthew that John Cabot sailed to Newfoundland in 1497. Built between 1994 and 1996 on Redcliffe Quay, in May 1997 the modern Matthew set off on its own transatlantic voyage to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Cabot's famous voyage of exploration to Newfoundland. The ship today is a much-loved part of Bristol.

The Matthew, a replica of the 15th century ship sailed
The Matthew, a replica of the 15th century ship sailed
Sailing ship matthew hires stock photography and images Alamy
Sailing ship matthew hires stock photography and images Alamy
Voyages of discovery at London’s National Maritime Museum
Voyages of discovery at London’s National Maritime Museum
John Cabot Matthew
John Cabot Matthew
John Cabot's ship Matthew Bristol Docks Stock Photo Alamy
John Cabot's ship Matthew Bristol Docks Stock Photo Alamy
Louis Letouche The Matthew Ship of John Cabot, Fine Marine
Louis Letouche The Matthew Ship of John Cabot, Fine Marine
The Matthew, a replica of John Cabot's ship in Falmouth
The Matthew, a replica of John Cabot's ship in Falmouth
BristolNewfoundland 14971997 500th Anniversary for John Cabot's Ship
BristolNewfoundland 14971997 500th Anniversary for John Cabot's Ship
John Cabot Matthew
John Cabot Matthew
The MATTHEW model ship PLANS & PHOTOS * John Cabot's
The MATTHEW model ship PLANS & PHOTOS * John Cabot's
The Matthew Story
The Matthew Story
John cabot hires stock photography and images Alamy
John cabot hires stock photography and images Alamy
The Matthew. Reconstruction of John Cabot's famous ship. Bristol, UK
The Matthew. Reconstruction of John Cabot's famous ship. Bristol, UK
Louis Letouche The Matthew Ship of John Cabot, Fine Marine
Louis Letouche The Matthew Ship of John Cabot, Fine Marine
"Matthew" the stunning replica of John Cabot's ship, the main...
John Cabot's ship Matthew Gloucester Docks Stock Photo Alamy
John Cabot's ship Matthew Gloucester Docks Stock Photo Alamy
John Cabot's Ship the 'Matthew' Sailing to America in 1496
John Cabot's Ship the 'Matthew' Sailing to America in 1496
The Matthew. Reconstruction of John Cabot's famous ship. Bristol, UK
The Matthew. Reconstruction of John Cabot's famous ship. Bristol, UK
The Matthew 525 Project
The Matthew 525 Project
Replica of John Cabot's Ship the Matthew Bristol Docks Can…
Replica of John Cabot's Ship the Matthew Bristol Docks Can…
John Cabot The fascinating journey of the explorer
John Cabot The fascinating journey of the explorer
The Matthew, a replica of John Cabot's ship Stock Photo
The Matthew, a replica of John Cabot's ship Stock Photo
Replica of The Matthew , John Cabot's wooden ship sailing
Replica of The Matthew , John Cabot's wooden ship sailing
John Cabot Matthew
John Cabot Matthew
John Cabot's ship Matthew Bristol Docks Stock Photo Alamy
John Cabot's ship Matthew Bristol Docks Stock Photo Alamy
Replica of John Cabot`s Ship Matthew Editorial Photography Image of
Replica of John Cabot`s Ship Matthew Editorial Photography Image of
John cabot's ship the matthew hires stock photography and images
John cabot's ship the matthew hires stock photography and images
John Cabot Matthew
John Cabot Matthew
John cabot ship matthew hires stock photography and images Alamy
John cabot ship matthew hires stock photography and images Alamy
John cabot's ship the matthew hires stock photography and images
John cabot's ship the matthew hires stock photography and images

Modern-day Replica of John Cabot's Ship, the Matthew Although there is no contemporary 15th-century depiction of the Matthew, this historical replica was built for the 'Cabot 500' anniversary celebrations in Newfoundland during the summer of 1997. This photo shows the Matthew during its call at St. John's Harbour.. The full-size replica of John Cabot 's ship the Mathew (also spelt Matthew) on which he sailed to the eastern coast of Canada in 1497 CE. The ship was a caravel, the maritime workhorse of the Age of Exploration.