Voyages | Designing the Matthew | Building the Matthew

Building the Matthew

How long did it take to build the Matthew?

The project was started in February 1994 with the preparation of the site. The first lorry load of wood arrived in March 1994. The ship first sailed under Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge in March 1996. So it took the shipwrights 2 years to build this ship.

Where was the Matthew built?

The ship was built on Redcliffe Wharf, Bristol close to Saint Mary Redcliffe Church. The original Matthew would also have been built at a site very close to this. John Cabot attended services at the church, which had been around 200 years before he even arrived in the city!

Who designed the Matthew?

The Matthew was designed by Colin Mudie based on archaeological data and period illustrations as there are no known plans in existence of the original ship.

Who built the Matthew?

The construction team consisted of a Project Manager, a Loftsman and 10 local Shipwrights.

Is this a full-size replica?

This ship is full-size. The major constraint in terms of ship size in medieval days was the keel which had to be made from one piece of straight hardwood in Cabot's Bristol oak, or perhaps elm, would have been used and hence the ships' waterline length is only 62 feet. In 1995 there was no length of oak straight enough in this country to be used for the keel and so an African hardwood, Opepe, was used instead. The keel itself is 48 feet long.

What is the ship made of?

The frames are made from oak that was unseasoned or "green". Much of the oak originally earmarked for the Matthew was eventually used in the rebuilding of Windsor Castle following the fire. There are 50 frames made from 30 different oak trees. The stern and stern post are also made from oak.

The planking is Douglas Fir above the waterline and larch below the water. The deck and masts are also Douglas Fir with the main mast donated to the ship by Prince Philip.

What was the most difficult part of the construction?

The planking around the stern of the ship is bent through 90 degrees in one direction and twisted through 30 degrees in another. Achieving this without splintering the planks was incredibly difficult as the wood is 2½" thick. It was achieved by steaming the planks for a few hours and then very quickly clamping them into place.

How was the ship made watertight?

When planked up the seams (gaps between the planks,) were filled with oakum (tarred hemp,)  this is known as caulking. The oakum is banged into the seams with a caulking iron and then, when immersed, the wood swells and compresses the oakum.

They didn't have that in those days!

Although at first glance the replica Matthew looks authentic there are several aspects of the ship, which are modern. Instead of hand wrought iron bolts or wooden nails holding the planks this ship has aluminium bronze bolts, which last much longer. They also cost more - each bolt cost £3 and there are 7,000 of them! The Matthew also has radar, satellite communication, global positioning, an engine (for safe sailing in the busy seaways of the 20th century,) and a crew who stand a greater chance of survival when at sea as a result!