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The Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria will forever be known as the triad, led by the Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus, that challenged the thought and opened a new world to early-day explorers.
But few know that Columbus preferred the Nina to the other two ships. The Pinta and Santa Maria did not compare to the structure and engineering of the Nina, which made numerous voyages and according to the Columbus Foundation, was the only ship left afloat in West Indian waters after the hurricane of 1495.
A historical replica of Colombus’ favorite ship will make a port-call in Houma at the Downtown Marina on Jan. 19.
Traveling by season, the captain decided to include the warm waters of Houma in its 2006-2007 southern sailing schedule. In previous years, the Nina has visited New Orleans and other Louisiana ports along the Gulf Coast.
Built completely by hand in Bahia, Brazil by the Columbus Foundation, the ship has been called the “the most historically correct Columbus replica ever built” by Archaeology magazine.
The Nina has been traveling around the world since 1992, educating people young and old on the ‘caravel’ n the type of Portuguese ship used by Columbus and other early explorers. Just before its global tour, filmmakers used the ship in making “1492,” a film depicting the travels of Columbus and his crew.
Today’s Nina has a crew of seven, including one captain. Crewmembers volunteer their services for whatever amount of time the can provide. According the ship’s cook, Ian Coppock, crewmembers sail with the Nina on average for two months.
“We have a pretty good crew onboard right now, so I’d expect this one to stick around longer than normal.
Although the crew spends many hours at sea and guiding tours on the ship’s main deck, volunteers do not have to have a background in either sailing or have historical knowledge of early exploration. Each member comes from a different background; from ex-military officers to woodworkers to cooks, anyone with a yearning for adventure can sail.
Coppock is an Alabama native and had a dream of, one day, cooking on a ship. The Nina provided him with the ultimate opportunity.
“It’s the best job in the world,” he said. “I get to cook on a ship and for a crew of six. It’s fun and we take care of each other, like a small family.”
The blasting of cannons will signal the arrival of the Nina, as it makes its way toward the marina. There will be no special welcoming event on its arrival, but Coppock said the crew will drop and display its massive sails.
“It’s something you don’t want to miss,” he said.
Tri-parish residents will have a chance to tour the ship daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until the Nina’s Jan. 29 departure date. Group and school tours are guided by crewmembers, describing the secrets of the shipbuilding process and explaining why many early-day explores chose to sail similar types of vessels.
Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens, and $3 for children. Visit www.thenina.com or call (787) 421-0402 for additional information.
Andrea Carlson can be reached at andrea@tri-parishtimes.com.
