The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-16
REMINDERS OF COLUMBUA
Reproduction or His FlaEship, and OF th,
Convent that sheltered Him.


Convent that sheltered Him.
Two interesting projects have been set sfoot.
ono for he construction Of fac simie OF the
caravel Santa Maria. tho flagship OF Columbus
In the greatest OF all voyages. aud the other an
exact reproduction Of the old convent Of La
Rabida. at Palos. the scene OF ono OF the most
touching incidents in his career.
Tho Santa Maria is one Of the famous YES
sells OF history on whose fsie the course OF
events has depended. She was originally
known as tbs GaleGo only receIvin: her new
name when Columbus hoisted his flag on her -
Grand Admiral OF the Ocean Sea. The device
Of this vessel turned on a curious incident.
Palos seemed small port to select as the
starting point Of an enterprise SO majestic;
but 1t was taken ~ Ferdinand and isabella
because 1t CHANGED to havo been punished for
some civil trouble by being required to keep
ready for the service Of the Kingdom. during
one year. two caravels. with crews and
arms. The town. accordingly furnished the
Gallego; the PIMA owned by two citizens was
seized for the expedition by an officer OF the
royal household: finally, the Nina was volun-
tarily supplied by one OF the three brothers
Pirezon. who played SO important part In
the great enterprise.
The Gallego. or Santa Maria had a deck
with forecastle and cabin. but the other two
vessels were open. save for a small bridge fore
and aft. and the Nina carried only latesn sails.
Columbus had insisted on having three YES.
sells. when only two were offered him: and the
loss OF one and the separation OF the other two
during the homeward voyage justified his pre-
vision. When the fac-simile OF the Santa
Maria is seen. during the great naval review
In New York harbor. there will DO much WON
der that such boat. with TWO companions
still less imposing, should have ventured on
such quest Still. In the letter addressed 10
the King and Queen.which Columbus preiaced
to the journal OF his voyage. he speaks Of his
such service" The ruddsr, OF the Pinta it Will
be remembered. was soon broken. and had to
hS os =, s sss 81 bs Sn tbs
changed to SQUARE sails. to ensure greater
It was from tho Santa Mari. that tho Ad.
mirai saw the light moving which caused the
reward offered BY King Ferdinand Tor the first
81 fS ss
saw the land Itself But tn, ths IA snp5e Maria was
a place Which be csiIed Punta Santa nj .n now
nam d point s.; HonSSrstTs Co,Hm6as, who
went below iiqr 1ssE ihe pilot. CONTRARY 10
shs sand Sans In sp. .o. ran
sSl s ss 70 tie Nina and 80 50
The building Of duplicate Of this famous
craft has been entrusted to Lieut.. W. McO.
Little Of the retired list Of the navy. Manned
BY Spanish sailors In the costumes OF four GEN.
turtles ago she will TO picturesque object.
first at the New York naval review. then ut
1swrsnce. the laEes. and The Wslisnd lanai.
permanently anchored ON the Potomac.
Nery interesting. also 10 the project OF Mr..
Franklin ". Smith. who built the Moorish
villa at St Augustine and the Pompeian villa
St Saratoga, 70 r.prodMce ,hs convent Of santa
hidden u pine forest. Fernando, GsrciA is
authority for the statement that while Colun-
bus was going hither and thii her to lind some
patron for his projects OF discovery he pre-.
sentei himself NJ The monastery gate, and
asked tho brother porter for q little bread and
water for his son Diego who accomnanied
him, While they were eating and drinking
Perez Of Marchena ehanced 10 pass. and.
struck with the superior aspect OF the stranger.
entered into conversation with him. Father
Perez was an enthusiast In cosmoGraphy. and
the result was that Columbus remained ms q
guest In the monastery to talk over his plans.
and lett II with money to carry him to the
court Of Spain nnd q warm letter OF recom-
mendarion TO tho Queens confessor. so enter.
Ing the path which led to final success.
This monastery Of Santa Maria do la Rab!da
appears elsewhere Al import8nt juncture, in
the career Of tonmbue. There be made con-
lession and pa,took OF the sacrament. Just be-
i,oIe starting on his great voyage. and there he
Columbus saiisn to the New W rid must form
appropriate and striking contributions 10 the
great celebration.