corpus christi nina pinta and santa maria

#Corpus christi nina pinta and santa maria plus

After his return she made an unauthorized

When Columbus had the pick of the whole Merchant Marine on his second voyage he selected her out of 17 ships as his flagship for an exploratory voyage to Cuba, and purchased a half share in her. She made the entire first voyage, bringing the Admiral safely home. Transatlantic routes, larger cargo vessels as well as warships were required, which paved the way for the development of the galleon.Ĭolumbus changed the Niña's rig to a Caravela Redonda before the first voyage. The Caravel heydey lasted almost a hundred years from the early 1400's to the 1530's. They were used to chart the Coast of Africa to the Cape of Good Hope by Bartholomew Diaz they took part in all four of Columbus voyages they were used by Vasco de Gama in 1502 in 1519, the caravel Santiago accompanied Magellan's expedition. The Niña, which is rigged as a Caravela Redonda, has square sails on the main and foremast for sailing downwind, and lateen (triangular) sails on the mizzen masts.Ĭaravels have always been linked with Portuguese and Spanish explorations and explorers.

#Corpus christi nina pinta and santa maria plus

Their advantages were speed, a shallow draught, and manoeuvrability, plus the fact that they were good sailing ships. The Niña, like the Pinta, was a caravel, which was a common trading vessel in use during the Age of Discovery.Ĭaravels were also used as cargo carriers, warships, patrol boats, and even corsairs (pirate ships). The least was known about the Pinta, and after the first voyage she disappeared from history without a trace. She became the flagship because she was the largest of the fleet but Columbus disliked her for her dull sailing qualities, and when she sank, he recorded in his journal she was very heavy, and not suitable for the business of discovery.

She was a nao, or freighter and was built in Galicia. The original Santa Maria ran aground in Hispaniola and sank on the first voyage. It was decided that the Niña would be built. During that time it became evident that due to money and time constraints it would be possible to build only one replica. The next two years were spent in research.