The Three Christopher Columbus Ships - Christopher Columbus (1451 - 1506) Christopher Columbus was an Italian who sailed under the Spanish Flag. He persevered in his quest to obtain backing for an expedition to sail a small fleet of ships to search for a sea route to the Indies. In 1492 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain finally give Christopher Columbus the money and ships for his expedition. The names of the 1497 Christopher Columbus Ships were the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. The brave men of the 1400's and 1500's, like Christopher Columbus, who sailed in uncharted waters to unknown lands were courageous adventurers who were motivated by fame, glory and the wealth. The living conditions on board the small ships were basic and the voyages were dangerous.
The Three Ships of Christopher Columbus - The Nina, The Pinta and the Santa Maria The names of the Three Ships of Christopher Columbus:
The Nina
The Pinta
The Santa Maria
Who did Christopher Columbus name his ships for? Who did Christopher Columbus name his ships for? His own flagship, the Santa Maria was fitted out in a place called El Puerto de Santa Maria. El Puerto de Santa Maria is located on the Guadalete River outlet, in the Bay of Cadiz. During the 16th and 17th centuries, El Puerto was the winter headquarters and base for the Royal Galleys of Spain. The Santa Maria was named after this location in Spain. The Pinta means the "Painted One" and was probably a nickname given to the ship. The Nina means "Girl" but was originally called the Santa Clara. Her nickname 'Nina' probably derives from her master, Juan Niño.
Facts, Information and History about the Navigational Aids on the three ships of Christopher Columbus Facts, Information and history about Christopher Columbus Ships. Various aids to navigation were available on ships during the Renaissance. The Navigational aids that Christopher Columbus would have used on his three ships, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria, included:
Astrolabes
Charts
Assorted time pieces including and hour glass and sundial
Compasses
Cross-staffs
Nocturnals
Traverse boards
Almanacs
All of the navigational aids used by Christopher Columbus on the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria were used to measure the angle between objects above the ocean, such as the stars or the sun, with the horizon. This would have enabled Christopher Columbus to calculate the ship's position at sea.
Facts about the three ships of Christopher Columbus Facts, Information and history about the three Christopher Columbus Ships.
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: Conditions on the Christopher Columbus ships would have been very basic. Food provisions would have included bread, beer, hard biscuits, fish and salted meat. The Captain would have had some private stores which might include wine
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: How fast were the ships? The Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria probably covered a distance of about 100 miles per day
The ships carried about 120 men in total
There was a lack of proper sanitation
Large ships would have carried a surgeon or doctor
One of the worst health problems on board the three Christopher Columbus Ships would have been scurvy
Fresh livestock included pigs and chickens were part of the ships provisions
Meat would have been preserved by being salted
Cooking was done in a fire box located on decks in the bow of the ship, Cooking pots or cauldrons would be suspended from a bar
The seamen would sleep in cramped and damp conditions on the deck of the ships
Facts about the Santa Maria ship
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: The Santa Maria was nicknamed 'La Gallega'
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: The Santa Maria was the slowest of the three ships
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: The Santa Maria was the flagship, it was completely decked and carried the flag of Columbus as Admiral
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: The Santa Maria was described as a carrack or nao which was a three mast sailing ship. Each of the three masts carried one large sail
The foresail and mainsail were square shaped and the sail on the rear mast was a triangular shaped sail
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: The Santa Maria was about 100 tons and about 80 feet in length
The Santa Maria ship was the property of Juan de la Cosa, a pilot and cartographer
Facts about the Nina ship
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: The Nina was captained by Vicente Anes Pinzon
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: The Nina was described as a caravel
Caravels were broad-beamed ships that had 3 masts with square sails and a triangular sail
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: The Nina was un-decked with cabins and forecastles
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: The Nina was the smallest of the three ships
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: The Nina was about 60 tons and about 50 feet in length
Facts about the Pinta ship
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: The Pinta was captained by Martín Alonso Pinzon, the brother of Vicente
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: The Pinta was described as a caravel
Caravels were broad-beamed ships that had 3 masts with square sails and a triangular sail
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: The Pinta was un-decked with cabins and forecastles
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: The Pinta was the fastest of the three ships
Facts about Christopher Columbus Ships: The Pinta was about 50 tons and about 45 feet in length
Famous Explorers - Christopher Columbus Ships Some interesting facts and biography information about the History, Life & Times of Christopher Columbus Ships. Additional details, timelines, facts, history and information about the famous European Explorers and events in the great Age of Exploration and can be accessed via the Elizabethan Era Sitemap.
