The NINA

[sailaway78]

We made a run over to Ft.Walton beach last weekend to have a look at the NINA, or a reproduction of the NINA. My first impression of it was, it was small. My second impression of it was,it was small. At an overall length of 93+ feet, I guess I was expecting more. But the beam is only 17', and the length on deck is 66' so suddenly it ain't so big any more. Add to this that the aft 10' or so is taken up by the tiller movement and you don't have much left. I talked to one of the crew, and of course the question was how slow is it. He told me they had seen 9 knots, dead down wind, but it had to really be howling to make that speed. Next question was upwind performance, and I got a big smiley, and a reply that anything with the breeze more than 110 of the bow was fine. I guess the most amazing thing was that all the hold space was used for provisions, water etc. and the crew lived on deck. 24/7. Mr. Colombus cabin was crammed into an aft corner, below, and had standing head room of 4'. All I can say is I am very glad I was not a sailor in those days.

 

[sailaway78]

I forgot

I forgot to tell you that the boat had just left the shipyard in Mississippi, to replace some spars, deck and who knows what else, after a fire on board. They are heading east to make a couple more stops, then across the Gulf, through the canal and up the west coast towards Seattle. Will take part in a tall ship event up there this summer.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Those were sailors!!

Imagine, no furlers and no electric winches! Thanks for sharing that.

 

[seadaddler]

Coming To Punta Gorda

The Nina is coming to Punta Gorda March 18 and I will going to a lookreal close.Nick

 

[Tommy T]

Punta Gorda

My wife and I were in Punta Gorda about 5 years ago. The Nina was there then.I was really taken back on how small it was. I always had it in my mind that it was a much larger boat than it is. I bet that tiller is a bear if they have lot of weather helm.

 

[sand sailor]

i dont think i'd cross the gulf

in that thing let alone the atlantic

 

[sailaway78]

WHEN YOU GO

Seadaddler, When you go be sure and strike up a conversation with one or more of the crew members. If you get them one on one, you will learn a lot more about the boat than the standard tourist garbage. I think I could have gotten a peek into the masters cabin, had there not been so many gawkers aboard. Although as I am 6'5" and there is 4' of headroom in there, may not have gotten very far. Sandsailor, I think it would be a real experience going across the gulf in that thing. I is a deep, full keel boat, and the displacement is 100 tons, so I would think it is a fairly comfortable ride. I would love to do that. Timing is just off. They are looking for volunteer crew, and I would volunteer in a heartbeat, but the schedules just won't work for me. You have to do a minimum of 30 days, and that will probably put them close to the canal. Have too much going on right now to end up in Panama in a month. Sure wish I had known about it sooner.

 

[abe]

When I was 7 years old in 1967 I was living in Barcelona..

one of Columbus replica was docked there. I don't recall which of the three, but I do remember on that day, that that was the first time I wanted to get a sail boat when I grew up.abe

 

[John]

Those old sailors

You ever read Herman Melville or Jack London, where they describe the conditions for sailors back in those days? I read some of them when I was a teenager. Not only wet and cold - maggotty food, etc. At the time, it sounded romantic. Then when I worked as an ordinary seaman on a ship several decades ago, and we ate steak and fresh vegetables, I suddenly realized that those conditions from hundreds of years ago weren't all that romantic.

 

[Ross]

Scurvy can kill in two months from the time

you stop getting vitamin "C". Hard tack and salt meat and one set of clothes for the ordinary seaman, rarely did they have shoes. If you got hurt you should have been more careful.

 

[Benny17441]

The vessel was named Santa Clara but was

nicknamed La Nina ( the translation is The Girl but the expression is only used for young or small girls) Columbus vessel was the Santa Maria which was a larger ship La Pinta and La Nina were smaller caravels. It was La Pinta that first sighted land. Will try to go see it at Punta Gorda, Seadadler do you know when she will be there?

 

[sailaway78]

According to the info

Benny, according to the info handed out on board the NINA, the actual name was the Santa Clara, but it was nicknamed the Nina ,because that was the middle name of the owner. And the NINA was Colombus ship. The Santa Maria was bigger, but Colombus didn't like it. He sailed on the NINA, and his quarters are on the boat and marked as such.

 

[Benny17441]

I don't think the historical records are clear

on which ship did Columbus sail but I found references that seem to agree that the Santa Maria was the expeditions flagship. There is a reference that La Nina was a pun on the name of the owner Juan Nino (boy)but others name different persons as the actual owners. I also found that a reference that Columbus favored La Nina as being a faster and safer ship for the crossing. The Santa Maria sunk on Dec 25 1492 on the coast of Haiti so more than likely Columbus did return to Spain on La Nina. The fact that Columbus name may be on the stateroom of La Nina replica does not clarify the issue as it is just a replica that was built in much recent times. Nevertheless I understand the replica is that of an actual caravel and it will be most interesting to see it.