If you’re on the shores of the Hudson River, and spot what looks like two of Christopher Columbus’ ships, rest assured you’re not dreaming.
Replicas of the Niña and the Pinta are docking in Newburgh this week — and in Albany next week — to provide visitors with a taste of sea life in the 1400s.
Come aboard for a tour and learn all about life aboard a “caravel,” the Portuguese-style ship that Columbus and many other early explorers used. According to The Columbus Foundation Tours, the replica Niña was built completely by hand and without the use of power tools, and was cited by Archaeology magazine as “the most historically correct Columbus replica ever built.”
General admission, self-guided tours of the docked ships cost $8 for adults, $7 for seniors (age 60-plus), and $6 age 5-16 (not in a school group); age 4 and under are free. Group and school tours are allowed with a minimum of 15 people, at $5 per person. Hours are 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
The ships will be docked at Riverfront Marina, 40 Front St. in Newburgh until departing early Wednesday morning, July 12, for Albany Yacht Club, 75 Broadway in Rensselaer. They will dock at the yacht club from July 14-16.
What about the Santa Maria? Well, that ship was considerably larger than Columbus’ other two ships, according to the foundation, and it “drafts,” or sits in the water, twice as deep as the caravels, meaning a replica of that ship couldn’t travel as easily. Confidentially, it wasn’t one of the New World explorer’s favorites, anyhow.
For more information, visit www.thenina.com
