The Matthew's O' Happy Sights

The name Bonavista means "O' Happy Sight." Seeing Newfoundland on June 26, 1497 must have been a happy sight for John Cabot and his crew. The new Matthew visited many communities this past summer.

On June 24, The Matthew sailed into Bonavista. It is believed that 30,000 people watched as The Matthew's crew docked in Bonavista. There were many dignitaries on hand. They included Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second and Prince Phillip. Premier Brian Tobin was also there.

The temperature was four degrees Celsius and a light drizzle began falling as The Matthew entered port. The Queen welcomed everyone to the festivities. She also dedicated the Ryan Premises. These buildings are important in the history of Bonavista. This Bonavista ceremony was the start of celebrations to mark the five hundredth anniversary of John Cabot's discovery of Newfoundland. John Cabot set sail from Bristol, England, on May 2, 1497. He landed in Bonavista on June 26, 1497.

It is believed that John Cabot was shipwrecked near Grates Cove on his second voyage to Newfoundland in 1498. A four-day festival celebrated this outport's ties to Cabot. The festivities featured the traditional inshore fishery and local music and crafts. With its rolling hills, Grates Cove was one of The Matthew's best viewing sites. Grates Cove was also host to the Grates Cove Cabot Rock Celebrations festival.

Harbour Grace celebrated Newfoundland's early years of doing business. The town celebrated the days of pirates, fish merchants, early airplane pilots and great shipping companies. Events included a historic regatta, pirate battles and boat races.

St. John's is the capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is also one of the oldest European settlements in North America. Visitors also celebrated Canada's birthday on July 1. They gathered at the city's waterfront. The first wireless message sent across the Atlantic Ocean was sent from Signal Hill. This was also the best location from which to see The Matthew as it came through the narrows. Thousands of people visited the waterfront to celebrate Canada Day and to tour The Matthew. Music, drama and dance performances were held downtown.

Placentia used to be the French capital of Newfoundland. This town held many events to mark The Matthew's visit. The events recalled Placentia's business and historic links with the Portuguese, Basque, British, Irish and Americans.

Grand Bank is named after the fishing grounds that made Newfoundland famous. Grand Bank joined the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon to celebrate the fishery. The islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon can be found off the south coast of Newfoundland.

The South Coast has many rolling hills and deep harbours. These harbours were formed by glaciers. Harbour Breton celebrated The Matthew's visit during its Summerfest. Summerfest is an historical pageant and fish market exhibition.

The Matthew visited the people of Burgeo during their Sand and Sea Festival. This festival included local boats and musical and theatre acts. It also featured traditional southwest coast music and community suppers.

Port Aux Basques celebrated its history during Port Days. The festivities were held at the Marine Atlantic lot. There were concerts, tours, folk dances and a display of items found in the waters off Isle aux Morts.

Stephenville is close to the Port au Port Peninsula. It is the heart of French language and culture in Newfoundland. Stephenville marked the five hundredth anniversary with many special acts. These included Newfoundland's Acadian Village, the annual Stephenville Musicfest and Drama Festival. These are some of the best music and theatre events in Atlantic Canada. Stephenville was also the site of giant lobster cook-outs, craft displays, special hiking tours, boat races and fishing contests.

Corner Brook is Newfoundland's second largest city. It was built by the people who worked in the pulp and paper mill. The city's Celebration of Summer honoured many famous explorers. It showed the voyages of John Cabot, Jacques Cartier and Captain James Cook.

Basque whalers ran the first business in Newfoundland. This was at Red Bay in the Sixteenth century. The whalers sold whale oil to markets in Europe. Several thousand Labradorians gathered on the shore at midnight to say goodbye to The Matthew.

The first Europeans to visit Newfoundland were the Vikings. They chose L'Anse Aux Meadows for their small settlement. That was almost a thousand years ago. L'Anse Aux Meadows is near St. Anthony. St. Anthony celebrated The Matthew and the "Spirit of Discovery". There were Viking ceremonies and feasts. They also honoured Sir Wilfred Grenfell, who was a doctor in northern Newfoundland and Labrador.

La Scie is an historic inshore fishing community located on the Baie Verte Peninsula. It held Come Home Year festivities. The people held community suppers, an old-fashioned concert and fireworks.

Botwood was the site of the world's first regular flight across the Atlantic Ocean. This town celebrated The Matthew with fireworks and music. It had one of the largest flotillas.

Twillingate has been an important fishing and business centre since the 1730s. It is the home of the famous Fish, Fun and Folk Festival. The town was made to look like an Eighteenth-century fishing village. People wore clothing from those years. There were flakes and splitting tables. A horse and buggy was used to drive The Matthew's crew around town after they arrived.

Trinity was one of Newfoundland's first settlements. This was the final port of call for The Matthew. Europeans lived there since 1501. The town is a National Heritage Community. Its history was remembered through an open air pageant and theatre festival that ran during the summer.

Did You Know?

The topsail is also known as the noddy sail because it looks small and foolish above the huge main course.

There are nineteen crew members but only fourteen people can sit around the table in the galley.