Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-12-04
Columbus Caravels on Long Journey.

The Santa Maria" the "Pinta," and
he Nina" the three little ships which
Spain built to reproduce the caravels OF
Christopher Columbus and gave TO the
United States for the Worlds Columbian
Exposition inIlS93, are TO journey 10 the
Panama Pacific Exposition al San Fran
cisco, by way of the Panama Canal.
They have been repaired and repainted
and the "Pinta" has new keel and stern.
The "Santa Maria" carrying what is said
10 be Columbus own anchor, sails at the
head OF the fleet under the command OF
Harvard rowing coach, and 90 men, just
% less than Columbus had, man the
squadron. False decking, copper sheath
ing and temporary crew quarters between
the decks have been installed for the trip
under the direction Of navy master-at-
arms who crossed the Atlantic in the
caravels in 1892. A bond OF 500 has
been given TO Chicago 10 secure their
safe return al the close OF San Francisco's
fair.
Their Journey will take them many
thousands OF miles and will last over
year. Their route lies through the Great
Lakes and Erie Canal 10 New York;
thence, after trip TO Boston, down the
Atlantic coast. Stops will be made at
many cities tor public exhibitions, and
plans have been made TO give short trips
on the caravels TO students interested in
ancient ship building and navigation.
Part OF the way, especially in the Erie
Canal and on the Atlantic, they will be
towed by tugs. After visit TO San Sal
vador, Columbus first landing place IN
America. they will pass through the new
Panama Canal and then proceed under
their own sail up the Pacific TO San Fran
cisco for exhibition at the Panama-Pa
Exposition in 1915.
The three caravelS were built in Spain
in 1892, and are very close reproductions.
The "Santa Maria" is an exact replica,
bee auSe Spain has on file the specifica-
tions of Columbus flagship, recorded at
the time of her sale shortly after Colum-
bus trip to America. The "Pinta" and
the "Nina" are not such exact copies,
but were built by an American navy Of
ficer in imitation OF Portuguese merchant
ships OF the 18th century. In the summer
OF 1892, 400 years after Columbus voyage
of discovery, the little squadron was
towed across the Atlantic by Spanish and
American battleships. The crossing was
thrilling one for The men who manned
the caravels, but il was made in 20 days,
one-third OF the time spent by Columbus
in sailing across. Since the exposition OF
1893 they have lain at anchor in the yacht
harbor at Jackson Park, Chicago, within
a short distance OF the reproduction OF
the Convento de la Rabida. When they
were placed IN motorboat dry dock last
summer their only signs OF age were a
bumped keel and weakened stern on
the "Pinta"
The caravels are very small in compar-
ison with modern ocean ships or even
with sailing vessels OF a century ago.
The largest OF them, the "Santa Maria"
is vessel OF only III tons. She is 81 II.
long over all, and H.9 #. on the water
line. Her beam is % II. and she draws
#. OF water. Amidships her hold is IL
feet deep. The overhang OF The bow is
/ Fl. and of the stern, II. In all she
carries about $3.50 soft. Of canvas. The
"Pinta," the larger Of the other two
caravels, is a vessel Of only 50 tons. The
little Nina" is the fastest sailer OF the
three. The complete armament OF the
Santa Maria" consists Of two bombards
and six falconets throwing 2-lb. balls.
On the decks and in the cabin there are
racks for swords, armor. crossoows,
battle-axes, and other small arms. Cook
ing is the most difficult part OF voyage
on the caravels. The arrangements TO
be used in the present trip are designed
in imitation Of Columbus equipment,
consisting of iron-lined boxes OF earth
for charcoal fires. lashed 10 the main
masts.