PITTSBURGH — As Columbus Day approaches, folks within easy driving distance of Pittsburgh can get a small taste of what life was like for Christopher Columbus’ crew when they sailed the ocean blue.
Through Wednesday, the recreated 1492-era ships, Nina and Pinta, are docked at Station Square in Pittsburgh. Visitors are invited to board the decks of the two ships, explore the floating museums and talk with staff.
“We are the world’s most authentic Columbus replica made to this day, and so this is pretty much as close as you’re going to get when it comes to his ships,” said Garrett Wagar, first mate on the Nina.
The ships — the 65-foot Nina and 85-foot Pinta — travel up the East Coast as far as Maine and as far south as the Florida Keys. They traverse the waters of the Gulf of Mexico over to Texas and up the U.S. waterways to the Great Lakes. In fact, Wagar said, the crews of the two ships will visit 30-40 different points during 10-11 months of the year.
So where’s the Santa Maria, you ask?
The third famous ship in Columbus’ fleet never made it back to Europe after its journey to the new world. It was also too big to fit through narrow rivers, and Columbus himself thought it was too large and slow. So a replica of the Santa Maria was never built.
Going from rolling salt water to winding freshwater rivers makes for an interesting journey for the crews of the Nina and Pinta.
“Out in ocean water, you’ve got to worry about high seas and large storms like that. Out here in the rivers, you don’t have to worry about those things, but you’ve got to worry about what’s ahead of you,” Wagar said, adding there are serious steering skills needed to navigate rivers.
The modern-day crew often ponders what life must have been like for the 1492 sailors on the Nina and Pinta.
“Especially when the air conditioner breaks,” Wager said, laughing. “You’ll sleep anywhere but in your bunk.”
On the lower decks, the crew has full modern amenities, but he said sometimes you find yourself sleeping on the decks of the ship under the stars.
Wagar, who has been sailing with the crew for a little over a year, said The Columbus Foundation is taking applications for volunteers to set sail on the two ships.
Sign up for a minimum commitment of three weeks, and you’re in for a treat, said Collin Foster, first mate on the Pinta.
“Every week, you’re in a different city,” he said, “and it’s an adventure of a lifetime.”
It costs $8.50 for adults, $7.50 for seniors (age 60-plus), $6.50 for children ages 5-16 and free for children 4 and under to tour the two replica ships.
Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. every day.
Visit www.ninapinta.org for more information on the ships and how to apply to join the crew.
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