Today was the last day for me to visit the Niña and the Pinta, two replicas of the 15th-century vessels used by Christopher Columbus on his 1492 voyage to the Americas, as it was their last day of being docked at Ponce Inlet as part of a national tour for the two floating museums. I did not expect that many people in my wildest dreams. We had to park at Waverly Plaza and take a shuttle to the dock, as there was not parking available.
Today was the 10th and the last day of their stay in Ponce Inlet, and tomorrow these two caravels will sail to St. Augustine for a 12-day stay there as part of their tour across the US.
The 65-foot Niña is sailing since 1991. It was completed by the Columbus Foundation of the British Virgin Islands,
Nina is joined by an 85-foot caravel called the Pinta. It was built in 2006 and is on its maiden tour.
Caravels, Portuguese trading vessels, were the most common ships of Columbus' era. Niña’s replica was built as historically accurate as possible, using the tools of the 15th century. According to the specialists, the only place where this shipbuilding technology survived is Brazil, and this is where the ship was built.
It is a strange feeling when you are on the ship. They are so small that it is difficult to imagine that they were out in the ocean for months. A 65-feet Niña had to have minimum 22 people to sail it, and in Columbus’ time the cre was up to 27 people. The hull was used only to store food, so the crew slept on the main deck. Today’s crew is smaller, but they have a few technological advances, like a small diesel engine, electricity…
Today’s crew is 14 volunteers. The only money they get is the tips that they split. It is fun talking to them. I spoke to Kyle and Chelsea. After Columbus himself, Kyle knows everything about the vessels… Chelsea is with the crew for 7 months and plans to stay for 3 more months.
The lower deck on Niña is off limit to the visitors. The sign says that Sailors 5 centuries ago did not have the luxuries that today’s crew has. They sleep in narrow bunk beds on the lower deck, they have one small toilet, and no shower.
I think it is a very interesting experience for the crew. And for us it is a fascinating reminder of the most daring endeavor comparable only to stepping on the moon. A daring exploration more than 500 years ago.
Jon Zolsky, your Daytona Beach, Florida connection
www.BeautifulFlorida.com
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Jon, that's a pair of amazing looking vessels... Must be a really neat experience to crew these things in the open waters:-)
We'll try to get out to St. Augustine to see this; god knows it may take another few centuries for anyone to have thise opportunity. Thank you for sharing!!!