This ia a replica of the Nina, one of the ships Columbus brought to the New World. In Corpus Christi also resides the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. However only the Nina is in the water at this time and barely seaworthy. These ships were given to the city of Corpus Christi by the government of Spain to commerate the 500th aniversary of the Columbus' voyage.
At this time, the other two ships are out of the water at the Corpus Christi Science and History Museum. Now if you have ever sailed a wooden ship you know they cannot be out of the water unless they are treated to withstand the loss of water from it's timbers. The Pinta and the Santa Maria have not been treated. And they are rapidly deteriorating from it. The Curator of the Museum, has not taken care of the ships properly. And according to individuals I've spoken with, has stated that he wants to scrap the Nina, and the Santa Maria, and just refurbish the Pinta. These ships are gifts from the Spanish Government. As such they should be properly maintained and made available for everyone.
The Nina, which is still in the water at the T-head in the Corpus Christi Harbor. The hull needs to be repitched, and all the wood refinished. Until a few years ago, the ship was taken out and sailed on a regular basis. Sadly the ship is no longer in such condition to do so.
If you are interested in helping to get the ships properly retored and back on the water where they belong so they can be sailed, please link on over to this new blog. Columbus Sailors Association It waqs just started but the goal is to raise awareness and to try to get all three ships restored and back on the water here they belong.
Mark
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