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PRESS RELEASE
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RICHARDS BAY AWAITS ARRIVAL OF 6TH CENTURY BC PHOENICIAN SHIP
Staff and members at the Zululand Yacht Club, Richards Bay, are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a unique sailing vessel “Phoenicia” – a replica Phoenician ship from 600 BC. Phoenicia is attempting to illustrate the 2000 years before the European, Bartholomew Dias, rounded the Cape of Good Hope the Phoenicians had already achieved a circumnavigation of Africa. As such the expedition is attempting to put African history in its true context.
The replica ship is the only one of its type in existence. The vessels design is based upon archaeological and historical evidence of 600 BC Phoenician cargo ships with advice from leading scholars across the globe. Handcrafted in Syria in 2007-08 using traditional Phoenician construction techniques, Phoenicia is quite a spectacle with a solid wood hull measuring 21m LOA and a beautiful purple-striped linen square sail.
Expedition Leader Philip Beale is no stranger to the Zululand Yacht Club having visited it in 2003 during a previous historical sailing expedition; The Borobudur Ship Expedition (www.borobudurshipexpedition.com). Beale commented:
“It will be fantastic to see some of our old friends again and share this fantastic adventure with the people of Richards Bay. We are most grateful to all the team at the Zululand Yacht Club for supporting our project and hosting our berth in Richards Bay.”
Having set off from Beira, Mozambique, on 16th January Phoenicia is expected to arrive at Richards Bay before the end of the month. Due to the pioneering nature of the expedition an exact arrival date cannot be specified at present but keep your eyes on www.phoenicia.org.uk for the latest position updates live from the ship.
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Press Contacts
Alice Chutter, Phoenicia Project Manager
Telephone +44 (0)845 8698 441. Email
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www.phoenicia.org.uk
Photographs
High resolution photographs are available to download from an exclusive press page on the Phoenicia website. Please visit http://www.phoenicia.org.uk/pressphotos.htm.
Facts for Press
1). Phoenicia, the Phoenician Ship Expedition, aims to re-create the first circumnavigation of Africa, believed to have been achieved by Phoenician mariners in 600 BC.
2). The Phoenician Ship Expedition is being led by British adventurer Philip Beale, whose most recent venture was to lead the 2003-04 Borobudur Ship Expedition (www.borobudurshipexpedition.com).
3). The Phoenicians were arguably the first ‘global’ civilisation. From around 1200 BC they established a civilisation on the coast of Syria, Lebanon and Palestine which spread throughout the Mediterranean and lasted nearly one thousand years.
4). The vessel is a replica Phoenician ship which was built using traditional Phoenician construction methods and materials. The ships design specification has been created using evidence from relevant shipwrecks and archaeological finds of artefacts such as vases and coins, as well as advice from eminent scholars and shipwrights.
5). The 20m long replica Phoenician ship was built in Arwad Island, an ancient Phoenician city state just off the Syrian coast, by Syrian shipwright Khalid Hammoud.
6). There will be a multi-national crew of up to 16 people on any one leg of the expedition.
7). The next leg of the voyage is due to leave Salalah, Oman at the end of October 2009. The ship will sail out of the Gulf of Aden calling in at ports in, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, the Azores, Gibraltar, Tunisia, Egypt, and Lebanon before returning to Syria in July 2010 to complete the circumnavigation of Africa.
8).Phoenicia is approved by the Royal Geographical Society and full details of the expedition’s sponsors can be viewed online: http://www.phoenicia.org.uk/supporting-our-sponsors.htm.
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