Cabot rock monument facts for kids

The Cabot Rock Monument is a special rock found in Grates Cove, Newfoundland, Canada. This rock has old carvings on it that many people believe show the names of the famous explorer John Cabot and his youngest son, Sancius. It's a cool piece of history that connects us to early voyages to North America!

What is the Cabot Rock Monument?

The Cabot Rock Monument is a large rock with words carved into its surface. It's located right on the shore in Grates Cove. For a long time, people have wondered if these carvings are truly from John Cabot's time. They are seen as a possible link to one of the first European explorers to reach North America.

Grates Cove: A Historic Landing Spot

Grates Cove is a small fishing community located at the very tip of the Bay de Verde Peninsula on the Avalon Peninsula. This area is very important because some historians believe it might have been the first place John Cabot saw when he arrived in the "New World" during his second voyage in 1497. Imagine being the first European to see this land!

Early Mentions of the Rock

One of the first people to write about this historic spot was William Cormack. In 1822, he wrote in his journal about a significant point of land. He believed this was where Sebastian Cabot (John Cabot's son) landed in 1497. Cormack wrote that Sebastian Cabot took control of "The Newfoundland" there. He also mentioned that Cabot recorded the event by carving an inscription on a large rock on the shore. Cormack said the carving was "still perfectly legible," meaning it was easy to read.

Discovering the Inscriptions

While Cormack didn't specifically mention Grates Cove or the exact words on the rock, later efforts helped confirm the carvings.

Leo English's Work

In 1946, Leo Edward Francis English, who was the head of the Newfoundland Museum, played a big role. He took pictures of the rock and confirmed that certain names were carved there. These names included 'IO CABOTO,' which is a Latin way of writing John Cabot's name. He also found 'SANCIUS' and 'SAINMALIA' engraved on the rock. This was exciting proof for many people!

Bishop Howley's Visit

Even earlier, in 1897, Michael Howley, who was the Roman Catholic bishop of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, visited Grates Cove. He wanted to see the rock for himself. This was around the time of the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's voyage. However, Bishop Howley found that the rock was covered by a fishing stage. A fishing stage is a platform used by fishers. Fish waste, called "fish offal," also made it hard to get close to the rock and see the carvings clearly.

Photos from 1927

Despite the difficulties, Leo English returned in 1927. He took more photos that he said clearly showed the words IO CABOTO. His pictures also showed parts of other names, like SANCIUS and SAINMALIA. These photos helped to keep the story of the Cabot Rock Monument alive and continued the discussion about its historical importance.