Phoenicia seeks sponsorship to sail the Atlantic

Who was first - a sailing vessel like this, sailed by Christopher Columbus? or... SW

...or a sailing vessel like this, sailed by Phoenicians, 2,000 years earlier? © SW

The reconstructed sailing ship Phoenicia and her skipper the indomitable Captain Philip Beale, who proved that the historical tale of the circumnavigation of Africa by a Phoenician sailing boat in 600 BC was possible - by doing it, are now out to rain on Columbus's Parade by crossing the Atlantic in the same sailing ship, and are seeking sponsorship/gifts, donations.

The Phoenicia team are planning the next expedition on the basis that the Phoenicians (as the greatest ancient seafarers) had capabilities and skills to cross the Atlantic two thousand years before Christopher Columbus.

Over two and a half thousand years ago a great sailing journey began on the Egyptian shores of the Red Sea. Greek Historian Herodotus tells us how, in 600 BC, Phoenician mariners achieved the first circumnavigation of Africa, a voyage into unknown waters previously considered too dangerous to attempt.

In 2008-2010 a reconstruction of a Phoenician / Mediterranean trading vessel, built at the ancient Phoenician port of Arwad, embarked upon a journey to re-trace the Phoenicians' route around Africa. Re-creating this historical voyage was the major objective of the Phoenician Ship Expedition and was completed by Captain Philip Beale and his crew in October 2010 after 2 years and 20,000 miles at sea.

Now, sailing from the Mediterranean to the Americas will be the next great challenge for Phoenicia and will bring together all the evidence that supports such a hypothesis.

However, this project cannot be achieved without raising £110,000 (US$170,000) to finance the costs of launching the expedition which will need to cover the vessel's maintenance, insurance, equipment, accommodation and travel costs. The Phoenician team are looking for individuals and companies who are interested in supporting this exciting expedition.

If you want to be involved in some way, be that practical support, financial or sponsorship in kind or a donation, they would be glad to hear from you.

The expedition will take place in either 2014 or 2015 depending on how quickly the sponsorship target is reached.

If you can assist in any way, please reply to: info@phoenicia.org.uk

To learn more about the project go to their website: http://www.phoenicia.org.uk/