The idea of going to Corpus Cristy, was to visit the museum, where two of the three replicas of Columbus's ships (Santa Maria and Pinta) were stored and maintained. The third one (Nina)was on water, in the city's marina, as can be seen in the pictures. The three ships, commemorating the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' voyages to the New World took 5 years to built at the cost of $6.5 million. The three ships toured the Mediterranean and Atlantic ports in Europe in 1990 and 1991. After successful tour of 18 American ports, they have arrived in their home port in Corpus Christy in 1993. The ships were built by Spain, using the same tools and materials as in the 15th century. The pine and oak are from the same forests of Galicia and the Pyrenees, while the nails were forged by hand. The two ships, Pinta and Nina are caravels. Small but fast and maneuverable. The Santa Maria is a nao, meaning cargo vesel, heavier and wider than a caravel.
For information on Christopher Columbus, his ships and travels, please visit this address: [ http://www1.minn.net/~keithp/