Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-10-17
HISTORIC VESSELS.
COLUMBUS CARAVELS AND VIK-
ING SHIP AT THE FAIR.

Exact Reproductions Of the Three Yes
sells in Which Columbus Found New
World The Hardy Norscmen's Frall
Craft.
Writing from Chicago, Worlds Fair
correspondent of the New York Tablet
says:
The first of objects of interest to
which was attracted were the Caravels
of Columbus. 1t is needless to saw that
these three Fifteenth century ships we're
built and fitted out ut the expense of the
Spanish Government. They are stationed
In the little stretch of water that lies be-
tween the Convent of La Rabida and the
Casino Hall. They were built in accord
ance with all the data regarding the
original craft it was possible to obtain.
The largest. the Santa Maria, is the one
open to inspection. Upon her mast is
tackled card from which obtained her
dimensions. At the water line she is a
little more than II English feet. her
beam not quite 26 feet, aud the hold ia
22t feet deep. The rear and forward
ends OF this hull are, as it were, boarded
over. At the forward end the bow and
sides rise we'll up, over this flooring on
which her sailors had little free space.
At the rear is the cabin of the admiral
over which smaller deck hangs, out and
back of the rudder, regular poop. If
this tiny vessel be contrasted with some
of our modern Atlantic steamers
the grandeur of Columbus deed
assumes proportions that are simply be-
yond the power of words to say. When
l looked at the narrow spacc where 7
suppose those hardy men came to their
chief few days before the VOYAGE end.
ed and forced from him the promise to
return if land came not to view within
three days. in very truth my heart went
out to them. Surely, that those tiftv
odd men should have been cooped nm in
that little ship for two long months was
species of confnement whose WEAKNESS
is almost beyond the compass of imar-
lnation. You may somewhat fancy the
WEAKNESS Of such imprisonment when
you recall the historical fact that thew
did not encounter even a storm to break
the monotony of their cherries VOYAGE.
1t was sky above and sea below. and
ever an cast wind filling their sails. Yet
they were coopcd up in narrow little
space, hemmed in by the bulwarks of
their tiny ship. No wonder the VARYING
OF the needle awakened such fears in
minds already filled with fears! The
caravel Santa Maria has come to the
Worlds Fair after having taken part in
the ceremonies and festivities which
were held at Palos on the I'd of August
and the 18th of October, 1892.
Built in Cadiz her keel was
laid on the 2lst of April. She was
launched on Jun, Goth, and on the Goth
OF July went to sea bound for the port of
Palos to take part in the festivities re.
1erred to above. Some ancient relics are
displayed on her deck. Some of those
old time lombards with small stout iron
hoops around the barrel are to be seen,
and hanging in nets near them the round
stone shot with which they were loaded.
Inc sides OF the vessel are hung with the
arms of the soldiers and saiors--pikes.
battle axes, arquebuses, shields, bows and
arrows. Before the pilots wheel is a
compass, which card informed me was
an exact reproduction of those drawn on
the charts OF Juan de la Costa. pilot of
ne Santa Maria. On the thalf deck
Is the cabin of 'the Admiral.
A little room-in truth the only part
OF the caravel that has any semblance
TO a room-about Is feet deep and 12 |
feet wide, its front boarded up aud orna-
mented with gothic arches, one door and
three windows--this is the place where, +
undoubtedly, the World finder spent
many an hour in anxiousness and many
an hour IN prayer. l approached with
feeling of reverence. No one is al
lowed to enter. l stood at the door and
carefully studied the interior. n heavy
table Is in the center, on it are an hour
glass. an ancient chart. clumsy and
rude looking ink-stand, a white candle
stick, an astrolabe and a forestaff, instru-
ments the old-time mariners used for
measuring the height of the stars
Around the walls are hung the arms Of
the officers. On the side of the room
and Immediately against its boarded
front stands an old cupboard. Next to
the cupboard is wooden bcdstead.
Four chairs are set about the room and
these are peculiarly shaped. They have
no backs and resemble the letter GUS"
joined at the curve. On the right wall of
the cabin hangs an exact copy of the pen
nant taken by Columbus on the voyage
OF discovery. 1t is precisely similar to
the one borne by John, of Austria, ut the
Battle OF Lepanto and in fact by all great
Spanish Leaders as the symbol of COM
mand. On the rear wall hangs picture
OF Our Lady OF Perpetual Succor. One
Hight OF stairs more and l had mounted the
highest deck. Doubtless this was the
stand as it is the highest
part OF the ship. An octagonal lantern
With ornamental iron work graces the
railing that forms the rear guard of the
1eck. So carefully exact have those been I
who supervised the building of this cara.
rel that in this lantern is placed a mar
tally burnt candle. On either side of
his deck on the top of the railing is a '
alconet. This is q small cannon. in |
hape very much like to lombard; but q
'nly two feet long, and while securely {
astened is yet capable of being turcnd {
round on pivotal attachment. Beyond :
hese objects there is little Of interest /
N shipbOard, A crew of Snanish sailor.