John Cabot's famous voyage of dicovery to Newfoundland was made in a 65-foot caravel called the Matthew, almost certainly named for Cabot's wife, Mattea.

The Matthew was a decked vessel of 50 tons, with a high sterncastle and three masts. The two forward masts carried square mainsails to push the vessel forward. The rear mast was rigged with a lateen sail running in the same direction as the keel, which helped the vessel sail into the wind.

A full-scale replica of the Matthew made a transatlantic voyage in 1997 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Cabot's discovery, arriving for a ceremony on June 24th, 1997, presided over by Queen Elizabeth II. The tradition continues in Bonavista as Matthew Legacy Incorporated has built another full-scale replica. The boat was officially christened and launched on June 24, 1998 in Bonavista.

The Matthew has its own dock in Bonavista and is available for tours during tourist season. The Legacy building serves as its home during the winter. This massive attraction gives Bonavista a unique opportunity to display its heritage, and provides tourists with the means to experience Cabot's life and times first-hand.

Visit the Ye Matthew Legacy website for indepth information.