Doris.

This busty wench was situated on "The Matthew," at  Bristol Floating Harbour and was a late undocumented entry to the Wow! Gorillas exhibition.  
The Matthew is a replica of the boat on which John Cabot sailed from Bristol Harbour in 1497 to become one of the many sailors who was the first to discover America.   Doris is designed as a figurehead and as such has been bequeathed the traditional cleavage.   Although The Matthew moved around during my stay I didn't manage to get close enough for a good quality picture. On this day there was a jazz band on board which attracted a good crowd.

The following is the text from an article published in the Bristle evening paper, “The Post:”

Historic ship finds room for gorilla

August 04, 2011

A NEW gorilla added to the zoo's summer arts trail has been enjoying life out at sea.

Doris, who has taken her place as a temporary new figurehead on the replica of the 15th-century ship The Matthew, has been taken out on her maiden voyage.

She has been revealed as a special extra gorilla in the zoo's 175th anniversary arts trail, bringing the total to 61.

Doris has been painted by artist Louise Kelly Phillips and is sponsored by The Matthew.

Skipper Rob Salvidge said: "We are delighted to be part of this trail and are enjoying having Doris on board. She is loving life at sea."

Ms Phillips, 29, of St Paul's, said: "I was really pleased to be asked to decorate the gorilla – I have been sailing on The Matthew for four years now and so Rob knew that I make a lot of art. I thought about painting the gorilla with a swim suit and bathing cap, but in the end I went with a traditional ship's figure head.

"As far as the name goes, that came about because one of the guys working on the boat said she reminded him of his great grandfather's housekeeper, called Doris, who used to have lipstick like I had painted on the gorilla. The name just stuck." Wendy Walton, head of commercial operations at the zoo, said: "The 61st Wow! Gorilla sculpture is a bonus addition to the trail, and as such is isn't on the Wow! Gorillas map, but we were keen for The Matthew to be a part of the project as it is a historic icon of the city.

"A gorilla on The Matthew seemed like a fantastic idea so we decided to add it as a 'secret' extra gorilla for people to find. It really is beautiful and we are sure the public will love this surprise addition.

"This gorilla will also go into the charity auction with the gorillas on September 29."

Posted on 30th May, 2015