On board The Matthew. This is a replica of of the ship John Cabot sailed in when he discovered Newfoundland in 1497. This makes him the first European to reach North America, after the Vikings. He had set sail to find a new trade route to Asia for Henry VII. He was rewarded by Henry with £10 - a lot more money than than now. He set off again with five ships in 1498 and was never heard of again. Though some people think he did make it back to England.
This replica was built in during the 1990's to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Cabots voyage. She sailed under the Clifton Suspension bridge in 1996 having taken two years to build. She is 78' long and 20' 6" in the beam. The keel is 48' and this has to be made from one piece of wood. As there were no English Oaks available at this length African hardwood was used for the replica. At the waterline she is 62' long. She is moored in Bristol harbour and is open to visitors and she makes regular trips.
Now to Thunderbolt Square. This is a new square and was built as of the restoration of Queens Square. The council got the name from Thunderbolt Street. A street on an old map of Bristol and said to be the shortest street in Bristol.
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