Currently residing at the docks at 200 Riverfront Pkwy. sits a replica of the ship that carried Columbus and many other explorers across oceans — the Pinta .
Brought to you by Sanger Ships LLC, this historical representation used as a “floating museum” will be sitting riverside now through Sunday, Nov. 19.
You can see up close the types of maps that guided the exploration across the Atlantic.
Photo by NOOGAtoday
Built in Brazil from 2002 to 2005 by eighth-generation Portuguese shipwrights, this replica shows a larger version of the archetypal caravel that was used during the Age of Discovery. Editors Kristen and Haley took to the river to see a bit of the old world themselves.
Each corner of the ship holds pieces of history, from information on the travels Columbus and his crew took + the maps for navigation to the windlass that was used during the time period allowing for the anchor to be raised from the ocean floor.
The tiller moves from side to side to control the direction the ship is in — while this replica travels from coasts to rivers, a crew member has to be manning it.
Photo by NOOGAtoday
You might think this is just a replica of the Pinta, but it’s also a full-functioning ship that utilizes a tiller — a steering mechanism manned by one person. Tillers were how ship crews navigated through water during the 15th century (and often still seen today) as the steering wheel wasn’t seen until the 1700s.
Bonus: While folks will not be able to see The Niña due to it being under construction after suffering damage from a hurricane, it is said to be the “most historically accurate Columbus replica ship ever built.” See how this company built the replicas .
Want to try your hand at exploring yourself? Take a tour — all tours are self-guided unless you book a larger group of 15 or more.