WILDWOOD CREST — On Thursday, May 25, the ‘Pinta’ and the ‘Niña,’ replicas of Columbus’ Ships, will open in Cape May County. The ships will be docked at Two Mile Landing Marina, 1 Fish Dock Rd., Wildwood Crest, until their departure early Tuesday morning, May 30.
The ‘Niña’ was built completely by hand and without the use of power tools. Archaeology magazine called the ship “the most historically correct Columbus replica ever built.” In 2005, the ‘Pinta,’ also a caravel, was launched in Brazil and was the first ship to sight land in the New World. Historians consider the caravel the Space Shuttle of the 15th century.
Both ships tour together as a new and enhanced ‘sailing museum’ for the purpose of educating the public and school children on the ‘caravel,’ a Portuguese ship used by Columbus and many early explorers to discover the world. Before him, the Old World and the New remained separate and distinct continents and ever since their fates have been bound together for better or for worse.
While in port, the general public is invited to visit the ships for a walk-aboard, self-guided tour. For admission fees and hours of operation, visit www.ninapinta.org.